Bernard Allotey Jacobs has challenged the Ghanaian government to respect the Ga ethnic group, especially when it comes to property sales.
The former NDC Central Regional Chairman and social critic expressed his displeasure with how Ga lands are managed by state officials, saying it fosters unneeded strife in the country.
His remark comes in the wake of reports that the Achimota Forest had been sold.
"Effective May 1, 2022, the area on which the Forest is located shall cease to be a forest reserve," according to an Executive Instrument (E.I) 144 reportedly added by Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor. "The area on which the Forest is located shall cease to be a forest reserve effective May 1, 2022, according to an Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 gazetted on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by Lands Minister Samuel Abdulai Jinapor."
Parts of the E.I. stated, "The President's move was in conformity with Section 19 of the Forest Act, 1927 (CAP. 157) which provides him the right to declare that certain area is no longer necessary as a forest reserve."
The Minister, however, has rejected the allegations, emphasizing that "the government has never sold Achimota Forest" and urging the public to "ignore these rumours as they are untrue, unsubstantiated, and non-factual."
E.I. 144 was released with the Forests (Achimota Firewood Plantation Forest Reserve) (Amendment) Instrument, 2022 (E.I. 154)".
"No development may take place without the express clearance of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, taking into account the biological integrity of the Forest," he informed Ghanaians.
Allotey Jacobs, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, questioned why there would be an attempt to sell the land or any other land belonging to the Ga people. According to Abu Jinapor's statement, a portion of the Forest Reserve was leased to an Owoo Family for a term of 99 years between 2007 and 2008.
However, according to the statement, the "Lease agreement was not performed as promised."
People have been intruding on Ga grounds for far too long, according to Allotey Jacobs, and it's past time for the government and entities that buy the properties to treat the Ga community with the utmost respect.
"It's as if you want to pit a certain ethnic group against Gas, or Gas against a particular ethnic group. Why are we torturing ourselves like this? Creating unrest throughout the country! "He yelled.
He was relieved that the sale of the Achimota Forest turned out to be a fake, since he had feared it might cause customary tensions.
He said, "People should respect the Gas."