Parks and Gardens workers oppose GoldBod land acquisition in Cantonments

A dispute has emerged in Accra over plans by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to acquire three acres of land in Cantonments for its permanent national headquarters. The land is currently held by the Department of Parks and Gardens and is used as a horticultural nursery to cultivate seedlings for government and public beautification projects.

GoldBod has proposed a barter arrangement, offering to construct a modern office complex for the horticulture department in exchange for the space. However, workers at the agency and environmental advocates have rejected the proposal, arguing that the land must be preserved to maintain the ecological balance of the capital and prevent the city from becoming a ‘concrete jungle.’

Critics note that the land was originally acquired in 1952 for horticultural purposes. The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) has previously identified the site as a nursery. Opponents of the move argue that encroaching on one of the few remaining green spaces in Accra would send a negative message regarding environmental conservation, especially amidst rising concerns over deforestation and irresponsible mining.