One of the important tourist attractions in Accra the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Accra is visited by thousands of holidayers from all over the world. The Aburi Botanical Gardens, Accra is only 39 km away from Accra and is located on the famous Akwapim Ridge. You have to hire a car from Accra and travel for about two and a half hours to reach the Aburi Botanical Gardens. You can have a sweeping view of the coastal area from the Aburi Botanical Gardens in Accra.
Spread over almost 64.8 hectares the Aburi Botanical Gardens boasts of a number of rare and exotic plants. Portions of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Accra is known as a Botanical Reserve and the rest of it has been converted into a lovely garden. It is counted among the 1600 botanic gardens that are situated all over the world. The initiation was taken by the Ghana government to start a botanical garden to save the flora and fauna of the region. It is the aim of the authority to save the natural ecosystem and at the same time create awareness among the laymen so that they understand the need of planting more trees and preserving nature in its unspoiled version.
Most of the programs that are conducted in Aburi Botanical Gardens, Accra are directed towards the common people so that they understand the necessity of conservation. One of the main topics of discussion includes afforestation. The main activities at the botanical garden include training in the field of horticulture, research in fields related to conservation, management of natural resources and spreading awareness about environmental education.
According to historical records the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Accra was built with the initiative of the House of Commons and a bill was passed in the favor of this garden in 1842. However it was only in 1890 that the garden was officially opened for public viewing. With the initiative of Basel Mission, German carpenter portions of land were cleared so that the garden can be established. Mr. William Crowther a student was the first curator of the botanical gardens. Although William Crowther wanted to establish an Agricultural Station in Accra it was not feasible as there were many natural constraints. The Agricultural Secretariat established a research branch for the purpose but work was abandoned after a few years and later the garden was declared as a "botanical garden".
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