Cabinet has directed the immediate revocation of Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, a move that will restore the Achimota Forest Reserve to its original legal status as a protected forest.
The decision, announced by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, means portions of the forest that were removed from the reserve under the instrument will revert to their previous status as protected forest land.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 15, the minister said the decision reflects government’s commitment to preserving the Achimota Forest due to its environmental importance and its role in maintaining the ecological balance of Accra and surrounding communities.
E.I. 144, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, sought to amend the legal status of portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve by declaring that approximately 361.5 acres (about 146 hectares) of the reserve would cease to form part of the protected forest.
The Executive Instrument provided detailed survey descriptions of the specific portions of land to be excised from the reserve, effectively removing them from the legal protection afforded to forest reserves.
Its passage generated widespread public debate, with environmental advocates, civil society organisations and sections of the public raising concerns that the removal of the protected status could open the affected lands to commercial and residential development.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah explained that Cabinet’s decision to revoke E.I. 144, as amended by E.I. 234, would reverse the previous changes made to the legal status of the affected portions of the forest.
Following the revocation, all lands that were removed from the reserve through the Executive Instrument will regain their status as protected forest land.
The Achimota Forest has long been regarded as a critical ecological asset in the Greater Accra Region, providing benefits including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, improved air quality and temperature regulation. It also serves as an important recreational space for residents of Accra.