Deputy Minister-nominee for Local Government and Rural Development has promised to support his Minister to revive the once vibrant Aburi Botanical Gardens and other recreational parks to attract tourists and generate revenue for the country.

Aburi Gardens, which used to be a busy tourist site as well as a research centre into tropical botany is now in deplorable state, unable to attract visitors.

But speaking to mynewsgh.com after his vetting by the Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Mr. O. B. Amoah said the time has come for government to revive the Aburi Gardens and other parks in the country.

Mr. Amoah who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem South where the Garden is sited said he has a special interest in it and reaffirmed his commitment to support his Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama to revive the place.

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development may consider the option of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to develop the Aburi Gardens and other parks across the country.

Mr. Amoah said the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) set up a committee to bring investors to develop the Gardens and that he will support his minister to review all documents relating to plan to ensure the parks are revived.

The Aburi Botanical Gardens covers an area of 160 acres (64.34 hectares), out of which 35 acres have been developed.

It is one of the leading gardens in the world for research into tropical botany.

The Gardens is made up of orchids, flower plots, rock gardens, children’s park, nurseries and chalets (apartments for rental).

It further has 13 hectares of undeveloped land (forest) reserved in its wild state, as a means of stabilising the ecology of the area.