A member of the Communications Team of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) Solomon Owusu has urged President Akufo-Addo to immediately suspend the Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 which allows for the declassification of some portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve.

According to him, the move is wrong and lacks public support, adding that it’s not all government properties than can be sold.

There’s been a public outcry after it emerged that President Akufo-Addo, has signed an Executive Instrument (EI) to declassify portions of the Achimota Forest as no longer a forest reserve.

The EI 144, gazetted on April 19, 2022, indicates that the area ceases to be recognized as a forest reserve from May 1, 2022.

A copy of the document, which has gone viral on social media, said the president is satisfied that the land specified is no longer required as a forest reserve and has indicated that the ecological integrity of an adjoining forest reserve should be protected.

The public expression of disapproval of EI 144 has become pronounced after it emerged that the late Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John allotted portions of lands at Achimota Forest and Sakumono Ramsar site to his relatives in his Will.

Speaking on the matter on Kasapa FM’s Ghana Kasa show on Wednesday, Solomon Owusu said the backlash is too much and the government must immediately pull the breaks on this E.I, adding that the government must make the right decisions at the right time.

He noted that there are very good reasons why the Achimota Forest must be left intact.

“Government must suspend the E.1144 immediately, it is not good for the country. It is good that we preserve the forest intact. At least the aerial view of the forest is beautiful and the forest also reduces the extent of flooding in Accra. Instead of selling portions to private individuals, the government can use the forest lands to build affordable housing for government workers. Investors come into this country to invest and sometimes there’s no available land for use. This is where the government can come in and use this land for equity.”

Source: Kasapafmonline.com