Claim: Accra-based TV 3 reported that the Legon Botanical Gardens, a recreational center located in the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra, is closing down permanently.
Verdict: False! JUSTFACT GHANA’s investigation showed that the Legon Botanical Gardens is not permanently going out of operation, as the media outlet alleged. The University of Ghana, Legon, the facility’s owner, has said it is taking charge of the gardens’ operation after a successful legal tussle with the current managers, Mulch Company Ltd.
Background
Accra-based TV 3 has reported that the Legon Botanical Gardens, a recreational center in the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra, is closing down permanently.
“Legon Botanical Gardens to close down permanently on October 30 [2024],” the media outlet posted on Oct. 11, 2024, on X (formerly Twitter).
Similar claims had made the rounds on X after the current managers, Mulch Company Ltd, posted that they are closing the Gardens on Oct. 30, 2024.
“We are Closing the Legon Botanical Gardens on 30th October, 2024. We believe we have been able to put lots of smiles on countless number of faces all these years. Legon Botanical Gardens was a chapter,” the company shared.
Also, see other related claims on X here, here, here, and here.
The social media platform has revealed that as of Oct. 22, 2024, the post had received over 159,234 views, 156 replies, 513 reposts, over 2,322 likes, and 79 bookmarks.
Commenting on the media outlet’s post, an X user, Kelvin Ashong, wrote:
“The land has been sold to friends and family members under the NPP government perhaps. Akufo Addo has destroyed everything built by previous administrations. Ghana is not in good hands.”
Another X user, Efo Filey, quizzed, “Dem sell am too?”
The Legon Botanical Gardens, which span 50 hectares of land, was established in 1950 and is owned by the University of Ghana, Legon. The school’s Botany Department manages the Gardens.
Investigation
JUSTFACT GHANA’s research revealed that the Legon Botanical Gardens is not going out of operation permanently, as the media outlet alleged.
The University of Ghana, Legon, the facility’s owner, has said it is taking charge of the gardens’ operation after a successful legal tussle with the current managers, Mulch Company Ltd.
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, the school wrote:
“The University of Ghana announces the successful resolution of its longstanding contractual dispute with Mulch Company Limited, formerly Pine Springs Company Limited, regarding the management of the University of Ghana Botanical Gardens. Following a legal process that affirmed the University’s position, Mulch Company Limited agreed to cease its operations and vacate the Gardens by November 30, 2024.”
The University has assured the public that the Legon Botanical Gardens will continue to operate as a green space for the community.
“Following a period of repairs and renovations, the Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public, fulfilling its intended purpose as a vital green zone,” the school added.
JUSTFACT GHANA contacted two of the X claimants to find out the source of the claim. However, it was revealed that the source of the claim was Mulch Company Ltd’s post on X.
Conclusion
The Legon Botanical Gardens is not permanently going out of operation, as Accra-based TV 3 alleged. The University of Ghana, Legon will take over the running of the facility in Nov. 2024.
