Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) focused on climate change are urging the Executive and Parliament to overturn legislation that allows development in forest reserves.
The groups are calling for the immediate suspension of Executive Instrument 144 and Legislative Instrument 246 (2), which declassified the Achimota Forest and other reserves across the country, to protect the dwindling reserves.
The coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwaa, stated that the declassification of forest reserves is detrimental to the country’s interests and should not be allowed to continue.
“The government acquired lands for horticultural purposes and not for commercial purposes and so we need to have an audit and those structures on Parks and Gardens lands must be removed immediately.
“We are asking the Cabinet to rescind E.I 144 to reverse the declassification of the Achimota Forest and also, Parliament must reverse LI 246 (2) because they are not in the interest of Ghana or Ghanaians,” she told Citi FM.
Ms Serwaa emphasized that the colonial administration wisely established forest reserves for future generations, recognizing their value.
She noted that, converting these protective forest reserves into developments contributes to rising lung disease cases due to increased air pollution.
E.I. 144 concerns the return of 361 acres of the Achimota Forest to its original custodial owners, the Owoo family.
The Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu also urged the Lands Minister to reverse the legislation and prevent any attempts to reclassify forest reserves.
“Citizens were thinking that with all the uproar, the government will rescind its decision but they are seriously on the forest reserve demarcating portions of the forest and that is very unfortunate.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening at a time we are talking about air pollution and other things yet we are still determined to go into the forest. The government must take a bold step and say, they are going to listen to the people and stop the demarcation because the Achimota Forest is very important and the Lands Minister must not allow it.”