Eco-Conscious Citizens And 1986 Law Group Donate Benches To Parks And Gardens Department

Parks and Gardens Department Headquarters in Accra received two beautiful benches made by wood artist Mr. Zoh Zoh, one donated by Eco-Conscious Citizens and the other by the 1986 Law Group in memory of Akora Lawyer Jedro Mbeah.

His sister Dr. Maleena said, “The family was overwhelmed by your (1986 Law Group) kind gesture of donating a park bench to the Department of Parks and Gardens in memory of Jed, our brother, and uncle."

Eco-Conscious Citizens noted the improvements at Parks and Gardens and are confident that the area will not be re-zoned to Exclusively Civic and that the Ministry of Local Government will find somewhere else to build the multi-storey office complex.

Awula Serwah, Founder and co-ordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens and a member of the 1986 Law Group said that in addition to being a place where one can buy fruit trees, ornamental and medicinal plants, and receive expert services on landscaping, pruning trees, garden maintenance, fumigation, etc., Parks and Gardens is a place for events, relaxation, recharging our batteries, meditation, communing with nature and reflecting on the beauty of creation. It is for a reason that man was put in the Garden of Eden and not in a concrete jungle, and tasked with taking care of the environment.

Research indicates that time spent in parks and green spaces helps individuals fight mental health issues like depression, anxiety and stress. Studies show that through social prescribing doctors can help reduce their patients’ stress levels by recommending that they spend time in nature. It is therefore important that Ghanaians have access to parks for their well being and quality of life.

Trees are essential to our well-being. Many of our green spaces have been built on, and we need to identify and protect the remaining green spaces. In addition to beautifying surroundings and combatting climate change, trees provide us with clean air. We need a strong immune system to fight diseases including Covid-19 and trees have an important role to play in maintaining good health because they purify the air we breathe.

The website of Parks and Gardens Department states that its functions are:

• To develop and promote effective landscape beautification in our Cities, Towns and homes (Home Gardens).

• To maintain and sustain all landscaped areas on our roads medians, road shoulders and all roundabouts in the Cities and Towns.

• The cultivation of horticultural products including vegetables, fruit trees seedlings and ornamental plants for sale to the public

• The department provides Horticultural training and extension services to students and pupils from Universities and Second cycle Institutions

• The department has floristry sections in our nurseries throughout the country where wreaths, weddings bouquets are produced for sale to the Public

• The routine maintenance of Prestige areas in our Cities and Towns, maintenance of all ten (10) R.C.C grounds, maintenance of Castle Gardens, State House Gardens, Flagstaff House and Peduase Lodge.

• The cultivation and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants. We also identify and multiply rare and threatened plants species

• Supply tree seedlings to educational institutions free, thus encouraging tree planting

• The department also runs a Guest House at Aburi Botanical Gardens which is one of the tourist Centres in Ghana

A Signboard at Parks and Gardens reminds us of the value of trees:

No Place Is Complete Without Trees

A House Without Trees Is Charmless

A Park Without Trees Is Purposeless

A Country Without Trees Is Hopeless

What Should I Do?

Plant A Tree Today.

Eco-Conscious Citizens are encouraging Ghanaians to plant a tree when a child is born, and when a loved one passes. The Group will be planting trees in loving memory of Jed Mbeah and others.