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In mid-September 2012, the then Minister of Tourism, now Ambassador Akua Sena Dansua, was reported as saying that the Cabinet had directed her Ministry and that of the Local Government and Rural Development to work out modalities for the divestiture of the Aburi Botanical Gardens.  Later, the Head of Cabinet, President John Mahama, said the government was rather looking for a “strategic investor ”.

Then the Aburihene came out to say he had not been informed of any government decision. In between these statements, the Ghanaian Times made a passionate appeal in their editorial of Thursday, September 2012, to the government to reconsider “its position on the outright sale and instead take steps to inject dynamism into it”.

After that, Aburi Gardens made more royal news. This was when the Aburihene commented on the state of the Gardens during a courtesy call on him by the then Eastern Regional Minster. 

Almost two years later came what can be described as sacrilegious and bizarre! The decision of the Akuapem South District Assembly to clear part of the original forest reserve in the Gardens to make way for their offices! (The Chronicle: Friday, May 9, 2014). Even though the destruction has been halted, it is happening in the Amanzuri Wetlands, where some hardwoods, unique to the area, and large numbers of raffia palm branches are being harvested regularly for sale to beach front resort developers.  It may happen at Bunso too, when the Arboretum is taken over from the Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute. And it can happen in the Kakum National Park when, one day, an eccentric President would order a presidential retreat, with a heliport, to be built inside the park!

The Akuapem Ridge has known tourism for over 200 years. It is on record that it gained attention in Europe in 1788. This was as a result of an exploration of the area by a Danish-born German botanist, Dr Paul Isert, who described the area as “paradise”. And a paradise it is! As a result of its height, coupled with the fact that there is no barrier on its seaward side, the weather on the ridge is cooler than humid coastal Accra.

History of Aburi Gardens

The history of Aburi Botanical Gardens began in 1842 when  a select committee of the British House of Commons recommended the establishment of a health resort on the Akuapem Ridge for recuperative colonial officers in the Gold Coast. London’s Kew Gardens accepted to undertake the job. Work started in 1875 with the building of a sanatorium for convalescing colonial officers.

 In 1890, the first Agricultural Station in the country was opened in the Gardens and it became one of the leading centres for research into tropical botany at the time. Some of the objectives then were to undertake:

“(i) the exhaustive exploration of the agricultural resources of the country with a view to finding suitable economic plants for European markets;

(ii) to experiment upon both economic and decorative plants from other tropical and sub-tropical countries with a view to finding out which ones could thrive under local condition;

(iii) to teach scientific method of agriculture to local farmers; 

The agricultural station was closed in 1928 and the garden opened to the public for recreational purpose. Since then, the Gardens has undergone a lot of developments, including tourism promotion. The Gardens has had the opportunity to host various heads of state and governments. 

 Aburi Garden’s role as a major visitor attraction cannot be under- estimated. Apart from its cool and invigorating weather, the Aburi  Gardens is one of the few attractions that is easy and comfortable to access. Its proximity to the capital and other attractions such as a carving village, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, various traditional shrines, a world renowned herbalist, a state herbal research centre, and century-old traditional buildings with their rectangular enclosed compounds, make it very appealing to different types of tourists. Its thematic lawns are also of interest to various groups. By the way, what has happened to the Children’s Lawn and Lovers’ Lane? 

Public-Pprivate partnership for development 

 I wish to join other concerned citizens to appeal to the government to not  sell the Gardens. It can be developed under apublic private partnership. The government alone cannot develop and run the place.The government’s role should be a facilitator, not an operator. A private investor will destroy the place. By the time we are aware, bulldozers and excavators would have cleared the place for a six-star- rated hotel. The foreign investor will bring in expatriates to occupy positions that locals could have held better. The local people would become aliens in their own land.

 My wish is for a community-based sustainable development. Getting the locals involved in the development, promotion, and management of the place has multiple income-generating advantages - research, sale of ornamental seedlings, and tourism. It would increase the range and viability of local businesses such as chop bars, crafts shops, transportation, accommodation, including host family services. It would create employment for qualified locals – labourers, administrators and tour guides. Properly directed, local management would take better care of facilities. Other satellite attractions will benefit from a rejuvenated Aburi Gardens.

The government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, the District Assembly, GHATOF, Traditional Council, and local technocrats should re-visit the original mandate of the Gardens and also consider the holistic development of the Ridge. Funding should not be difficult. The government can make an initial commitment. There are many international and local organisations that would be interested to help put Aburi Gardens back on its feet.