The Ga traditional council has said that it has set up a committee to investigate the alleged release of portions of the Achimota forest to the Owoo family and its related matters.
The committee set up by the Ga mantse and president of the Ga traditional council, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II is made up of eminent chiefs and stakeholders.
A statement by the Ga traditional council dated (24 May) indicated that the findings and their consequent actions will be made available to the general public.
Read the full statement below:
Dangerous decision
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has said the decision by the government to reclassify the Achimota Forest is “dangerous”.
Some reports on Tuesday (17 May) on some social media platforms suggested that the Achimota forest has been sold.
The reports said the government through an Executive Instrument (E.I) has given out part of the forest reserve in the capital, Accra to private developers.
But the government through the ministry of lands and natural resources denied the claims saying the forest reserve remains “an integral part of the government’s plan for the protection of our forest cover.”
However, a statement from the Minority in Parliament said “the decision to classify the Achimota forest as not a forest reserve any longer is dangerous and does not reflect our avowed objective of keeping the only green area in Accra and to a large extent restoring deforested land in the country.”
Also, the Minority added that “it is our belief that if any part of the Achimota forest is released to any original owner and committed to any use either than its present use, it will set in motion a catalytic action of demands for the return of whole or parts of the about 265 Forest reserves across the country to original landowners.”
The Minority admitted that indeed, the previous NDC government under President Mahama, with good conscience, signed an agreement with Aikan Capital Ltd to create, develop, operate and maintain a world-class ecological park as a top eco-tourism destination worldwide.
However, the Minority has urged the President to, as a matter of urgency take a second look at EI 144 and revoke it as soon as possible.
Nicholas Brown
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