The Cabinet has mandated the immediate annulment of Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, thereby facilitating the complete restoration of the Achimota Forest to its original designation as a Forest Reserve.
Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, which was enacted on May 1, 2022, declared that approximately 361.5 acres (around 146 hectares) of the Achimota Forest Reserve would no longer be considered part of the protected forest.
This instrument included comprehensive survey descriptions that specified the exact areas of land intended to be removed from the reserve.
The enactment of this instrument sparked significant public discourse and criticism from environmental advocates, civil society organizations, and segments of the public, who contended that the removal of the protected status from parts of the forest could lead to commercial and residential development, thus endangering one of the few remaining urban forests in the Greater Accra Region.
During the Government Accountability Series, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, revealed Cabinet’s decision, emphasizing that the government’s priority is to safeguard the Achimota Forest for future generations.
The minister stated that the government’s stance is firmly rooted in the commitment to protect the forest due to its environmental significance and its role in maintaining the ecological balance of Accra and surrounding communities.
He clarified that Cabinet’s decision to revoke E.I. 144, as modified by E.I. 234, would effectively undo the prior alterations made to the legal status of the affected areas of the reserve.
Once the revocation is implemented, all lands that were previously excised from the forest reserve under the Executive Instrument will revert to their former legal status as protected forest land.
The Achimota Forest has historically been viewed as an essential ecological safety area, offering environmental advantages including carbon sequestration, enhanced air quality, conservation of biodiversity, and temperature regulation. Additionally, it functions as a significant recreational area for the residents of Accra.
