Benito Owusu-Bio
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of lands and forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to protect the ecological integrity of the Achimota Forest.
He said neither has the forest been sold, put up for sale, nor will it be sold to anyone, pointing out that it has also not been declassified, apart from giving the peripherals to the Owoo family as compensation.
Speaking to the media during a tour of the forest, Mr. Owusu-Bio indicated that more would be paid as compensation to the custodial owners of the land in line with the Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 because of the monetary value of the parcel of land.
The move looks to assuage concerns after some Ghanaians, including civil society organisations raised issues with the release of the peripheral portions of the forest to the Owoo family.
Civic society organisation (CSO), OccupyGhana, called on the government to reverse the decision to release Achimota Forest, asserting that there is the need to maintain the natural areas in urban centres to promote people’s welfare, exercise, and relaxation of their mental health.
But the Deputy Minister insisted that the Achimota Forest remains intact, indicating, “Government is committed to ensuring that whatever happens to the peripheral portions of the land does not affect the ecological integrity of the forest.”
He explained that the media tour was to show the general public the various activities currently ongoing in the forest, in order to calm their nerves.
Mr. Owusu-Bio, who is also the MP for Atwima Nwabiagya North in the Ashanti Region, disclosed that different species of trees, including Melina, had been planted to give a border to the forest reserve and protect it from intruders, while making it much greener.
According to him, besides the afforestation drive, the government is undertaking various activities to conserve the forest, including the proposed eco-tourism national park for Ghanaians and other residents of the country to enjoy the beauty of nature that is seen in other parts of the world.
The Deputy Minister pointed out that Achimota Forest remains an integral part of the government’s plan to protect the ecosystem and the vegetative cover of the country, pledging that all prospective plans of the government regarding the Achimota Forest will be handled with utmost transparency and integrity.
He called on the media and the public at large to support the government’s flagship afforestation programme, the Green Ghana Day, which is scheduled for June 10, 2022.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, said the trees in the Achimota Forest could be classified as shrubs.
According to him, the commission, through the Youth in Afforestation Programme, has planted different species of trees since 2017 to make it “a real forest reserve”.
He used the opportunity to conduct the media to inspect trees planted during the 2021 Green Ghana Day, as well as the seedling prepared for use in this year’s Green Ghana Day tree planting exercise.
Mr. Allotey said there are over 100 nurseries to be planted on June 10, and also called on all Ghanaians to join the exercise.
Among the team of the Deputy Minister’s tour were Joseph Osaikwan, the Technical Director for Forestry, and Maxwell Adu-Nsarfoa, the Technical Director for Lands.
The team also visited the zoo and other areas such as the peripherals of the forest reserve.
By Ernest Kofi Adu