President Nana Akufo-Addo has indicated that the Aburi Gardens will soon be redeveloped as part of government’s plan to boost the country’s tourism potential.

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Wednesday, when he paid a courtesy call on Nana Otuobour Djan Kwasi II, the Chief of Aburi, at the commencement of the second day of his three-day tour of the Eastern Region.

The President revealed that he has already held discussions with the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, about the redevelopment of the Aburi Gardens, which resulted in the inclusion of the project in the yet-to-be-read 2022 budget by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

“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.”

Nana Otuobour Djan Kwasi II, Chief of Aburi, who is also the acting President of the Akuapim Traditional Council, expressed his appreciation to the President for the massive infrastructural development that has taken place in Aburi since the assumption of office of President Akufo-Addo in 2017.

He highlighted the asphalting and redevelopment of the Akuapem inner roads, the new hospital in Aburi, and several other government projects, as examples of some of the projects undertaken by President Akufo-Addo’s Government, which have been extremely beneficial to residents of Aburi.

KOM Presbyterian Clinic

President Akufo-Addo also inspected ongoing work on the KOM Presbyterian Clinic, which is part of a €40 million contract awarded to Messrs Contracta Construzion Italia S.R.L. for the retooling and equipping of four selected health facilities in the Eastern Region.

This project, which officially commenced in October 2019, also involves work on the Atibie Hospital in Kwahu, Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, and the Kibi Government Hospital.

With the project nearly 90% complete, it is expected to be completed on November 29.

The scope of work being undertaken by the contractors includes; works on main administration block, Accident and Emergency, OPD, theatre centre, CSSD, male ward, female ward, laboratory, x-ray unit, pharmacy, family counselling unit, eye clinic, and mortuary.

It will also have a health education area, laboratory, paediatric ward, antenatal dedicated waiting area, kitchen and a medical gas system.