Environmental advocacy group Eco-Conscious Citizens has raised concerns over a reported proposal by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to acquire three acres of land belonging to the Department of Parks and Gardens at Cantonments in Accra.
According to the group, GoldBod has offered to construct an “edifice” for the Department in exchange for the three acres of land.
The proposal was reportedly disclosed by the Director of Parks and Gardens, Dr Daniel Kingsford Adams, during a meeting with workers of the Department.
Eco-Conscious Citizens said the workers rejected the proposal, with the Director expected to communicate their position to the Office of the President.
The group questioned the proposed use of the Parks and Gardens property, arguing that the land was acquired by the colonial government in October 1952 and allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for a horticultural nursery.
It said the Department has reportedly received seven proposals seeking portions of the Cantonments property for development, describing the latest GoldBod proposal as part of growing pressure on Accra’s remaining green spaces.
Eco-Conscious Citizens also questioned why a proposal from GoldBod would reportedly be channelled through the Office of the President, asking whether this could place pressure on the Department’s management and workers to approve the transfer of the land.
The group said it had made several unsuccessful attempts to obtain clarification from GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi on the proposal.
It further urged the government to protect Parks and Gardens lands from commercial development and called for a comprehensive audit and publication of all lands belonging to the Department.
Eco-Conscious Citizens also appealed to the Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, to ensure that Parks and Gardens lands remain dedicated to their intended horticultural purposes.
The group argued that the reported proposal comes at a time when Accra is facing increasing pressure on its green spaces and warned against developments that could further reduce areas reserved for horticulture and environmental purposes.
GoldBod has not, in the information provided, publicly clarified the reported proposal, its intended facility, the terms of the proposed three-acre arrangement or whether any government approval has been granted.
