220 acres of Achimota Forest to be parcelled out for development- Eco-Conscious Citizens

Environmental group, Eco-Conscious Citizens has revealed that, 220 acres of Achimota Forest reserve are about to be parcelled out for development to increase the concrete jungle in the capital city.

Known as the lungs of Accra, the grabbing of the Achimota forest land was made possible by E.I. 144, amended by E.I. 234 in 2022.

Despite public protests, there is a concerted effort to transfer this national asset into private hands.

“We cannot purport to Green Ghana when the cameras are on, and then proceed to remove hectares of forest from Achimota Forest reserve, the last remaining Forest Reserve in Accra”, a statement by the Eco-Conscious Citizens said.

The statement noted that, at a time when Ghanaians are complaining about the adverse effects of climate change due to the diminishing tree cover in Accra, what is needed is more green spaces, not less.

“We are therefore calling on all concerned citizens of Ghana, friends of Ghana, and environmentalists everywhere, to send a clear signal that this unnecessary hiving off parts of Achimota Forest will not happen”.

“The relevant authorities have allowed our forests to be destroyed by illegal miners, and instead of protecting the remaining forests, they are about to carve it out for private development”.

“We cannot afford to be spectators. All concerned citizens must resist this. Additionally, Eco-Conscious Citizens’ current SaveOurParksAndGardensPetition to be sent next month will ask the President to set up a Public Enquiry into how Parks and Gardens lands across Ghana have fallen into private hands, including those purported to have been leased by Lands Commission, and are not being used for Horticultural Purposes”, the statement added.