No more encroachment on Achimota forest – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has declared a firm stance against further encroachment on the Achimota Forest, describing it as a critical ecological asset that must be preserved for future generations.

Speaking during a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations, Mahama stressed the urgency of protecting the forest, warning against continued depletion of green spaces in the capital.

“It is the last largest open green space in Accra. We have built everywhere. Accra is becoming a concrete jungle, and so as much as possible, we must protect the Achimota Forest,” he stated.

The President revealed that he has already intervened to halt any ongoing or pending attempts to allocate portions of the forest for private development.

“Recently, there was a request that came again… and the Minister came to me. I said, ‘Look, I don’t want to hear about Achimota Forest. You shelve it. Nobody is giving any portion of Achimota Forest.’”

Mahama acknowledged longstanding ownership claims by a private family but expressed concern over how past decisions have contributed to the gradual loss of parts of the reserve.

“There’s a family that says it belongs to them… and in the past, those in charge… have somehow been compromised. And so it’s not been as transparent as possible,” he said.

He explained that while some earlier concessions such as land released for the construction of a hotel may have been made in good faith, they triggered a chain of demands that expanded beyond the original intent.

“That whole thing spiraled into endless demands for more acquisition of the forest… parts of the forest were even bequeathed… as part of people’s estates,” he noted.

The President called for stronger collaboration between government and civil society organisations to safeguard the forest from further encroachment.

“Your CSOs should work with us, with the Ministry of Lands, and stop any more encroachment of the Achimota Forest,” he urged.

Mahama also admitted he needed to further brief himself on the specifics of Executive Instrument (E.I. 144), which has been at the center of debates over portions of the forest.

“I must admit, I don’t know much about it… but if it has to do with Achimota Forest, I’m on the same page with you,” he said.