The Achimota forest will be transformed into a world-class asset, according to the Lands Minister.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has stated that plans are being developed to transform the Achimota Forest into a world-class asset.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the sector Minister emphasized that widespread reports about the alleged sale of the Forest are false and unfounded, as the government has no such plans.
According to him, the government "intends to enrich the Achimota forest, revamp it, and hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, transform it into the likes of High Park in London and Central Park in New York, where Ghanaians can go and enjoy the beauty of nature and forest reserve as it occurs in other parts of the world."
As a result, he urged the public to disregard any reports about the forest's sale.
"For the avoidance of doubt, neither President Akufo-Addo nor myself or his government intend to sell or redevelop the Achimota forest as it currently stands," he stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, an eight-page document was widely circulated on social media, claiming that the Achimota Forest Reserve's classification had been lifted to allow for possible redevelopment for other purposes.
According to Section 19 of the Forest Act, 1927, the Executive Instrument gazetted on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by Lands Minister Samuel Abdulai Jinapor stipulated that effective May 1, 2022, the land on which the Forest is located shall cease to be a forest reserve (CAP. 157).
According to the document, the cessation would take effect on May 1, 2022.
President Akufo-Addo also directed the District Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority to develop a master plan for land development.
The Authority was also tasked with protecting the ecological integrity of an adjacent forest reserve while developing the master plan, which would be approved by the Sector Minister.
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