A prayer group in front of the payment point
Reports circulating on various media platforms reveal that the government has increased the entry fee from GH¢1 to GH¢10 for people who pray in the Achimota Forest.
The new fee, which took effect on August 1, 2026, pegged GH¢10 for adults while kids over three years are to pay GH¢5 for use of the forest reserve located in the Greater Accra Region.
As of now, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission have not announced any fee or levy for religious activities in the forest.
People who visit the Achimota Forest for daily prayers have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the sharp increase in the entry fee.
Speaking to Nana Kwasi Ampofo of Oman FM, the Public Relations Officer of the Achimota Pastors Association, Prophet Samuel Asare, said the association has petitioned Parliament and the Forestry Commission over the increment and is awaiting a response after Parliament resumes from recess.
Prophet Asare lamented the lack of basic facilities at the prayer grounds, including traffic lights to prevent accidents, washrooms, and shelters, forcing worshippers to pray at the mercy of the weather.
He added that, aside from the daily GH¢1 entry fee, worshippers also pay a monthly permit fee of GH¢20. He further alleged that the association was informed on Wednesday that worshippers who declined to pay the new GH¢10 fee could continue paying GH¢1 without being issued tickets.
However, he said the association could not accept such an arrangement, insisting that worshippers should be issued tickets after paying to access the prayer grounds. “Stealing and prayer do not mix because dishonesty breaks trust with God and others. True prayer requires a clean heart, therefore they cannot compromise.”
He further disclosed that the Forestry Commission also rents chairs to worshippers at GH¢2 per chair in addition to the daily entry fee. Prophet Asare said the prayer grounds attract no fewer than 2,000 worshippers every day.
He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene by reviewing the charges, stressing that worshippers are not refusing to pay but believe the tenfold increase is excessive. He also expressed concern that children between the ages of 3 and 18 who accompany their parents to pray are now required to pay GH¢5 before being allowed entry.
He noted that the Forestry Commission has designated about 120 prayer porches within the forest for religious activities, and argued that maintaining the previous GH¢1 charge would have encouraged patronage instead of driving people away.
Over the years, one issue drawing public attention is the use of sections of the forest for religious activities, including prayer camps, overnight vigils, and large gatherings. Conservationists argue that protected forest reserves should not be used for activities that may damage fragile ecosystems. They cite littering, vegetation clearing, open fires, human waste, and noise pollution as consequences of such gatherings.
While government is yet to issue official statement, the focus, according to the Lands Ministry, remains on restoring protection and preventing encroachment and misuse of the reserve.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke