Accra, July 30, GNA - Government is to move the Accra Zoo from its present location to give way to the construction of the Presidential Complex. Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Government Spokesman on Services and Infrastructure, confirmed the story but said the movement of the animals from the Accra Zoo to Kumasi Zoo was a temporary arrangement since the Government was going to build a new Zoo with adequate facilities at the Achimota Forest.

The Zoo located behind the Flagstaff House, Accra was initially built as a private zoo for Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, but it was later converted into a public one to serve the desires of tourists, school children and holiday makers. About 1.5 billion cedis is being sought, from the Government to cart the animals to the Kumasi Zoo as early as possible, so that the presidential project, which is two months ahead of schedule could go on as planned.

Mr Amponsah-Bediako said since the construction of the new Zoo was going to take some time it was normal to move the animals to the nearest Zoo and according to international requirement, the nearest Zoo was the one in Kumasi. He said that the Minister of Land, Forestry and Mines, Professor Dominic Fobih would tour the Accra Zoo with some school children on Tuesday and during the process would announce the plans of the Ministry had concerning the zoo.