KEY POINTS
- The University of Ghana ends its management agreement with Mulch Company Limited.
- The botanical gardens will undergo repairs and reopen for public use.
- Mulch Company Limited must vacate the site by November 30, 2024, following legal proceedings.
The University of Ghana has officially announced the termination of its partnership with Mulch Company Limited, the former managers of the Legon Botanical Gardens, following a prolonged dispute over management obligations.
University regains control after legal battle
According to a statement from the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, the decision to part ways with Mulch Company Limited comes after several years of unmet contractual obligations.
The university had initially entered into an agreement with Pine Springs Company Limited, now rebranded as Mulch Company Limited, in 2009 to renovate and manage the gardens. However, the company reportedly failed to fulfill its responsibilities, leading to negotiations and legal action that granted the university control over the facility.
Following the legal resolution, Mulch Company Limited will cease its operations and vacate the site by November 30, 2024, handing the gardens back to the university.
Gardens to remain open with planned renovations
The Legon Botanical Gardens, located on the Haatso-Atomic road in Accra, offers attractions such as a canopy walkway, high rope obstacle courses, birdwatching, and canoeing.
While Mulch Company had hinted at a closure in an earlier statement, the university reassured the public that the gardens would remain open. According to Graphic Online, the management announced that after essential repairs and upgrades, the gardens will continue operating as a recreational and educational space.
“The university is committed to maintaining the gardens as a space for research, learning, and environmental sustainability,” the statement read. “We are focused on enhancing the gardens to fulfill their intended purpose as a vital green space for the community.”
The university also emphasized its dedication to promoting environmental awareness, highlighting the gardens as a central component of its sustainability efforts.
