Aburi - Economy of Aburi

Economy of Aburi

Because of Aburi's location in the mountains and its proximity to the coast, an agricultural research farm was set up near Aburi by the British colonialists in 1891. The area of the garden originally consisted of 20 hectares, in 1901 there were 17.8 hectares and in 1902 came to more than 40 hectares of new acquisitions, which was discovered during the last expansion with considerable resistance. Ultimately, the expansion could take place only through the application of governmental authority over state expropriation. The purpose of the Botanical Garden was originally to test field-building opportunities and to develop, which should contribute to greater financial independence of the Gold Coast. The focus of the garden was primarily in culture experiments with indigenous crops such as cocoa, rubber plants and cola. In addition, there were also ornamental and fruit plants grown of various kinds and small field trials with cotton and spices, vanilla and pepper mainly on cardamom and nutmeg. An inventory, dated 21 July 1900, lists 350 different plant species grown in Aburi. In addition, there was in 1903 in the center of the garden, a sanatorium. In 1901 the expenditure was for the garden equivalent of 44,312 marks (then German marks).

Especially for the cotton experiments, a cotton planter expert from the United States (Texas) named Edmund Fisher, was employed, and who was, however, unfavorable for cotton in the rain forest, which is located in Aburi, which had only a few small test plots. A larger cotton research station was built on Edmund Fisher's recommendation in the grasslands of the Krobolandes Volta built, and grown where cotton is the native culture from time immemorial and the cotton were made into clothing. It is not only an experimental farm that was established, but also tries to cheer up the locals to expand their cotton production. The latter was accomplished mainly through the distribution of seeds to the chiefs in connection with a purchase guarantee for all cotton harvested in a central market in buying at (9 ' N, 0 ° 6 ' O) on the Volta, where the cotton could be accommodated easily by water. In the Volta could then also be the removal of the cotton. The most distant of Akuse cotton growing area in the region, the landscape Awudome which about 13–15 km from the Volta. It has also been used for treatment of raw cotton in Akuse and where the Ginstation was built. Also, the botanical garden at Aburi was responsible for the care and maintenance of the garden at Christiansborg.

Today, on the grounds of the only botanical garden in Aburi, Ghana, is mainly home to many plants that were not originally native to Ghana, but there is a collection of tropical plants that have been added.

In neighboring Aburis Kitase was also a summer residence ('Peduase Lodge') of the first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, which is now used as accommodation for state guests.

Aburi Botanical Garden is result of a well known tourist destination.