On Tuesday, 17th May 2022, Achimota Forest was trending on Twitter based on the allegations that the forest which has served as a reserve since the 90’s has been sold. It was a big blow for people, especially the ones who have become fond of the forest which is situated in the heart of the city.
Has The Forest Being Sold?
The government of then Gold Coast on 16th December, 1921 under the Public lands Ordinance, 1876 acquired a land from a family called Owoo Family through compensation. On 17th May, 1927, government acquired another 479 hectares of land which was an extension to the Achimota School from the same family. Unlike the first acquisition that had receipt of payment of compensation the second purchase has no receipt of payment.
The government under the Forests Acts, 1927 (Cap 157), On 17th July 1930, turned the land that was purchased in 1927 without receipt of compensation to a Forest Reserve for Fuel Wood Plantation for Achimota School. In 2007, the Owoo Family submitted a petition to the then Preseident, H.E John Agyekum Kufuor to release the portion of the Forest connected to the Tema Motoway to the family who are the rightful owner. After consultations, the office of the President agreed that the other portion of the Forest be given to the family on 24th November, 2008. The ninety acres of land was to be leased to them for 99 years.
In 2011, the Owoo family submitted another petition to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Mike Hammah to release their portion of the Forest Reserve. After thorough Investigations, the Owoo family was seen as the legitimate owners. On September 5th 2013, the President in power, H.E John Dramani Mahama approved the conversion of the Forest into an Ecotourism Park and then gave the other portion to the Owoo family for 99 years. The family registered the land and sub- leased it another private developer with the consent of Forestry Commission.
The Forestry Commission through the approval of the Former President John Dramani Mahama, went into an agreement with a group called Aikan Capital a limited by guarantee company to develop the forest into an Ecotourism Park. A lease agreement was executed with the same company in 2016 giving 227.84 hectares of the Forest Reserve to the company to embark on the project.
The Ecotourism park was to serve as world-class eco-tourism enclave like the ones in countries such as Kenya, Namibia and South Africa.
Video below…