Cabinet has approved the immediate revocation of Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, a move that will restore the Achimota Forest to its full legal status as a protected forest reserve.
The decision reverses the previous excision of portions of the reserve and ensures that all lands removed under the Executive Instrument will once again form part of the Achimota Forest Reserve.
Executive Instrument 144, which took effect on May 1, 2022, removed approximately 361.5 acres (about 146 hectares) from the Achimota Forest Reserve.
The decision sparked widespread criticism from environmental groups, civil society organizations, and sections of the public, who argued that removing the land from the reserve could pave the way for commercial and residential development at the expense of one of Greater Accra’s few remaining urban forests.
Announcing the decision during the Government Accountability Series, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah said the move underscores the government’s commitment to protecting the forest and preserving it for future generations.
Mr. Buah said the Achimota Forest Reserve remains an important ecological asset that contributes to environmental conservation, improves air quality, and serves as a vital green buffer for Accra and its surrounding communities.
He said restoring the forest’s protected status reflects the government’s determination to safeguard the reserve against further encroachment while maintaining its environmental benefits.
