History of Aburi Botanic Gardens
Welcome to ABURI BOTANIC GARDENS, Ghana !
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Aburi - History of the Botanic Garden
As far back as 1842, the Select Committee of the House of Commons in London recommended the establishment of a model farm or botanical garden on the British Gold Coast. (today Republic of Ghana)
The Aburi Botanical Gardens is the town's most famous tourist attraction.
The following is a list of some prominent visitors to the Gardens and the commemorative trees they planted underlines the popularity of the Gardens.
They include: Sir Gordon Guggisberg, Governor of the Gold Coast, Silk Cotton Tree, 1924 Queen Elizabeth II, Mahogany, November 16, 1961 President Pal Losones of Hungary, Cedar, November 18, 1961 President Nocale Ceausescus of Romania, Cedar, February 16, 1977 Prince Charles of Britain, Silver Oak, March 24, 1977 General Olisengu Obasanjo, Former Nigerian Head of State, Silver Oak, may 25, 1979 and many more.
The over century-old Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana's prestigeous holiday and resort center dates back to 1842. The formal opening was in 1890, when Lady Knutsford planted silk cotton (onyaa) tree alongside the great onyaa that is the sole survivor of the virgin forest that once occupied this site. It was in 1842 that, the British House of Commons recommended that the salutarious(healthy climate) of the Akuapem mountains would make a comfortable habitat for recuperating colonial officers, away from the swelting coastal climate of Accra. The chiefs of Aburi were approached for a land and the present site, occupying 160 acres hectare was offered.
The following is a list of some prominent visitors to the Gardens and the commemorative trees they planted underlines the popularity of the Gardens.
They include: Sir Gordon Guggisberg, Governor of the Gold Coast, Silk Cotton Tree, 1924 Queen Elizabeth II, Mahogany, November 16, 1961 President Pal Losones of Hungary, Cedar, November 18, 1961 President Nocale Ceausescus of Romania, Cedar, February 16, 1977 Prince Charles of Britain, Silver Oak, March 24, 1977 General Olisengu Obasanjo, Former Nigerian Head of State, Silver Oak, may 25, 1979 and many more.
The over century-old Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana's prestigeous holiday and resort center dates back to 1842. The formal opening was in 1890, when Lady Knutsford planted silk cotton (onyaa) tree alongside the great onyaa that is the sole survivor of the virgin forest that once occupied this site. It was in 1842 that, the British House of Commons recommended that the salutarious(healthy climate) of the Akuapem mountains would make a comfortable habitat for recuperating colonial officers, away from the swelting coastal climate of Accra. The chiefs of Aburi were approached for a land and the present site, occupying 160 acres hectare was offered.
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Although the advantages of such an institution were again pointed out in evidence before the Committee in 1865, nothing much was done until March, 1890 when the botanical garden was officially opened at Aburi in the Akwapim hills.
Kew Botanical Gardens London, took up the design work and by 1875 the first foundation was laid . Among those whose efforts brought about the success of the project was Lord Knutsford then Secretary of State for the Gold Coast from 1887-1892. To honour his untiring efforts , ther sole survivor of the original forest, the huge silk cotton tree standing opposite the Government Rest House, was named after his wife, Lady Knutsford.
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The construction of the Aburi-Accra road in 1877 brought about accelerated development, among them the opening in 1889 of the first agricultural research station - today Aburi Botanic Gardens
By 1890 an agricultural station was opened in the Gardens and it became one of the leading centers in the world for research into tropical botany. The experiment led to the importation of different kinds of trees from all over the tropics. Visitors can see some of these flourishing exotic trees brought from places like Malaysia, India, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and East Africa among others.
The Garden which is managed by the Department of Parks and Gardens is made up of orchids, flower plots, rock gardens, children's park, nurseries and chalets (apartments for rental). 13 heaters of the gardens' land is reserved in its wild state as a means of stabilizing the ecology of the area. Included in this category is a large para-rubber plantation bordered on the down hill end by a sparkling stream that vanishes underground after forming a small waterfall.
In addition to sightseeing, the Gardens offer various services and facilities for visitors including lodging, restaurants and bars, potted plants, souvenirs and a horticultural school. There are two famous restaurants namely: Rose Plot Cafeteria and Royal Botanical Gardens Restaurant within the Gardens.
The chiefs and people of the Adonten division of Akuapem are proud of the generosity and hard work and their ancestors whose contribution made Aburi Botanical Gardens a success.
The Garden which is managed by the Department of Parks and Gardens is made up of orchids, flower plots, rock gardens, children's park, nurseries and chalets (apartments for rental). 13 heaters of the gardens' land is reserved in its wild state as a means of stabilizing the ecology of the area. Included in this category is a large para-rubber plantation bordered on the down hill end by a sparkling stream that vanishes underground after forming a small waterfall.
In addition to sightseeing, the Gardens offer various services and facilities for visitors including lodging, restaurants and bars, potted plants, souvenirs and a horticultural school. There are two famous restaurants namely: Rose Plot Cafeteria and Royal Botanical Gardens Restaurant within the Gardens.
The chiefs and people of the Adonten division of Akuapem are proud of the generosity and hard work and their ancestors whose contribution made Aburi Botanical Gardens a success.
Aburi Botanic Gardens
Aburi, about 23 miles North of Accra, is regarded as one of the healthiest towns in Ghana. The distance makes a huge difference because Accra/Tema is a port while Aburi is in the Akwapem hills, at 1200 feet elevation.
In addition to its great and wonderful people, Aburi has terrific weather all year round and no mosquitoes!
Aburi Botanic Gardens
The night skies are beautiful with a spectacular view of the Accra plans that the capital of Ghana, Accra and the port city of Tema are located. The electric lights in the valley and plains look like diamonds strewed across the plans. The road to the top of the hills is winding and supported by a concrete wall. At the crest and end of this spectacular wall is the presidential retreat known as the Peduase lodge.
Aburi Botanic Gardens
ABURI INDUSTRIAL CENTER
The Aburi Industrial Center and the Sankofa Wood Carvers Association at Awhirase have become important wood craft centers in the Ghana, a testimony to the initiative and hard work of the youth of the country.
Since their inception by self-motivated "returnees" from Nigeria and abroad in 1979, the young carvers today produce assorted carvings both Ghanaian and African, such as masks, drums, stools, games and decorative items after the manner of the craftsmen of the past.
The products at both centers have been so impressive that no tourist comes to the Akuapem mountains without stopping for a souvenir while several crafts dealers in major cities obtain their supplies from Aburi.
It is noteworthy that the Center for National Culture, government organizations and reputable non-governmental organizations have shown their appreciation and the desire to assist the carvers to improve their trade. As an incentive to the efforts of about 150 carvers, whose products are an inspiration to the unemployed persons, the chiefs and people of Atweasin have offered them three hectares of land around Aburi Girls Secondary School for development into an industrial complex to comprise workshops, showrooms, offices cafeteria, and dram studio among others. The complex has not only helped to bring all carvers in the Adonten Division of Akuapem into one group, but has also helped in the development of an industrial environment in the Aburi Area to discourage rural-urban exodus of the youth.
We are proud of the interest these young carvers have shown in their work for the cultural heritage of our fore-fathers and their activity that promote the rich traditional values of the people of Ghana.
Aburi, about 23 miles North of Accra, is regarded as one of the healthiest towns in Ghana. The distance makes a huge difference because Accra/Tema is a port while Aburi is in the Akwapem hills, at 1200 feet elevation.
In addition to its great and wonderful people, Aburi has terrific weather all year round and no mosquitoes!
Aburi Botanic Gardens
The night skies are beautiful with a spectacular view of the Accra plans that the capital of Ghana, Accra and the port city of Tema are located. The electric lights in the valley and plains look like diamonds strewed across the plans. The road to the top of the hills is winding and supported by a concrete wall. At the crest and end of this spectacular wall is the presidential retreat known as the Peduase lodge.
Aburi Botanic Gardens
ABURI INDUSTRIAL CENTER
The Aburi Industrial Center and the Sankofa Wood Carvers Association at Awhirase have become important wood craft centers in the Ghana, a testimony to the initiative and hard work of the youth of the country.
Since their inception by self-motivated "returnees" from Nigeria and abroad in 1979, the young carvers today produce assorted carvings both Ghanaian and African, such as masks, drums, stools, games and decorative items after the manner of the craftsmen of the past.
The products at both centers have been so impressive that no tourist comes to the Akuapem mountains without stopping for a souvenir while several crafts dealers in major cities obtain their supplies from Aburi.
It is noteworthy that the Center for National Culture, government organizations and reputable non-governmental organizations have shown their appreciation and the desire to assist the carvers to improve their trade. As an incentive to the efforts of about 150 carvers, whose products are an inspiration to the unemployed persons, the chiefs and people of Atweasin have offered them three hectares of land around Aburi Girls Secondary School for development into an industrial complex to comprise workshops, showrooms, offices cafeteria, and dram studio among others. The complex has not only helped to bring all carvers in the Adonten Division of Akuapem into one group, but has also helped in the development of an industrial environment in the Aburi Area to discourage rural-urban exodus of the youth.
We are proud of the interest these young carvers have shown in their work for the cultural heritage of our fore-fathers and their activity that promote the rich traditional values of the people of Ghana.
The Gardens had as its main objectives:
- “ the exhaustive exploration of the agricultural resources of the country with a view to finding suitable economic plants for European markets”;
- “to experiment upon both economic and decorative plants from other tropical and sub tropical countries with a view to finding out which could thrive under local conditions”; and
- “to teach scientific methods of agriculture”.
Some of the attractions of Aburi Botanic Gardens .. are
- The Bush House
- The Rock Garden
- The Pergola or Lovers lane,
- The Ficus tree
- The retired helicopter
- School of horticulture.
Aburi Links:
- Aburi - Main Page (English)
- Aburi - Hauptseite (Deutsch)
- About Aburi and Aburi Botanic Gardens
- Aburi Town - History
- Akuapem South District - Page 1
- Akuapem South District - page 2
- Akuapem South District - page 3 (include. Climate)
- Akuapem South District - Investment Potential
- Present Aburihene and Adontehene of Akuapem
- Akuapem Adonten Odwira Festival in Aburi
- Streams, Lakes and Hills in and near Aburi
- Aburi Botanic Gardens - Contact
How to get to Aburi
By public transport - Mini-Bus or TroTro can be boarded at Tema Station in Accra central or at Odawna station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle or at Madina. There is also a METRO-Mass Bus from Accra, via Aburi. (Best choice)
Aburi is about 30 Km away from Accra, and can be reached via a modern dual-carry way.
By public transport - Mini-Bus or TroTro can be boarded at Tema Station in Accra central or at Odawna station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle or at Madina. There is also a METRO-Mass Bus from Accra, via Aburi. (Best choice)
Aburi is about 30 Km away from Accra, and can be reached via a modern dual-carry way.
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