Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has advised Dani Ike Estate Developers Limited to request for a refund in a suspected sale of state property Parks and Gardens to their firm.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post on Wednesday June 23, 2024 the outspoken Member f Parliament commended the officials in charge of the Park for their resistance to the said firm in their bid to claim ownership of the state’s property.
“Dani Ike Estate Developers Limited are well advised to stop the harassment and go for a refund from whoever sold our prime Cantonments land belonging to Parks and Gardens to them.
I commend officials of the Department of Parks and Gardens for their courageous and patriotic resistance so far” he noted.
Highlighting the significant importance of the Garden in the restoration of Ghana’s vegetative cover, he mentioned how the park has served as “active green open space where diverse tree species are cultivated, and other seedlings are nursed to meet our national environmental objectives” since its allocation to us by our colonial master in 1952.
“The 10.8 acres Parks and Gardens land was allocated on 2nd October, 1952 by the then colonial Commissioner of Lands as our foremost Horticultural Nursery” he added.
Consequently, Ablakwa has vowed to fight against the sale of the the over 65 years old vegetative cover, assuring a Parliamentary inquiry into the alleged sale of Parks and Gardens.
“We shall never allow our Parks and Gardens land to be sold! Parliament will soon launch an inquiry into the ongoing despicable state capture and all those harassing public officials to vacate because they are the new owners should get ready to appear before us at live public hearings.
Ugly State Capture shall be defeated!” he stated.
The Department of Parks and Gardens in Ghana was established in 1961, primarily to enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban areas and to promote environmental sustainability.
It was founded during the tenure of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who recognized the importance of green spaces for improving the quality of life in cities.
The department’s mandate includes the creation and maintenance of public parks, gardens, and recreational spaces. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in landscaping major urban centers, providing botanical services, and contributing to environmental education and conservation efforts.
Despite facing challenges such as funding and urbanization pressures, the Department of Parks and Gardens remains a key institution in Ghana’s efforts to promote green urban environments.