President Akufo-Addo, has expressed his intention to redevelop the Aburi Botanical Gardens soon, as part of government’s plan to boost the country’s tourism potential.
He made this revelation on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, when he paid a courtesy call on Nana Otuobour Djan Kwasi II, the Chief of Aburi, at the commencement of day 2 of his 3-day tour of the Eastern Region.
The President explained that he has already held discussions with the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, about the redevelopment of the Aburi Gardens.
According to him, the discussion has resulted in the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, including the project in the yet-to-be-read 2022 budget.
“Aburi Botanical Gardens is of great importance to me. Indeed, the history of the Gardens is known to us all. It is important to the country and we will protect its heritage for future generations. Nana, you made mention of Kew Gardens, the time has come for the world to also know about the potential of Aburi Gardens”.
President Akufo-Addo
The acting President of the Akuapim Traditional Council, Nana Otuobour Djankwasi II who doubles as the Chief of Aburi, expressed his appreciation to the President for the massive infrastructural development that has taken place in Aburi, since his assumption of office in 2017.
Nana Otuobour Djankwasi II emphasised on the asphalting and redevelopment of the Akuapem inner roads, the new hospital in Aburi, and several other government projects. This, he revealed, serves as examples of some of the projects undertaken by President Akufo-Addo’s government which have been extremely beneficial to residents of Aburi.
In 2019, however, Otuobuor Djan Kwasi II, called for the privatisation of the Aburi Botanical Gardens to invite investment to the tourist facility. He indicated that private investment could revitalise the Gardens and enhance its tourism potential to improve business in the area.
Nana Otuobuor Kwasi stated that the Gardens had lost its value and pride in recent years due to neglect by the government, lack of maintenance, and bureaucracy in its management.
President Akufo-Addo inspects Aburi Hospital
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo inspected ongoing work on the KOM Presbyterian Clinic. The clinic is part of a €40 million contract award to Messrs Contracta Construzion Italia S.R.L. intended for the retooling and equipping of four selected health facilities in the Eastern Region.
The project officially commenced in October 2019 and includes work on the Atibie Hospital in Kwahu, Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, and the Kibi Government Hospital. Currently, the project is nearly ninety percent complete and it’s expected to be completed on 29th November 2021.
As part of efforts to revamp the hospitals, the scope of work being undertaken by contractors include works on main administration block, Accident and Emergency and OPD. Similarly, the theatre centre, CSSD, male ward, female ward, laboratory, x-ray unit, pharmacy, family counselling unit, eye clinic, and mortuary will be revamped.
When completed, the hospital will have a health education area, laboratory, paediatric ward, antenatal dedicated waiting area, kitchen and a medical gas system.
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