Achimota Forest

Achimota Forest Reserve is a forest in Achimota in the Okaikwei North Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.[2][3] It is located approximately 7.6 km (4.7 mi) from Accra.[4] It is under protection against unauthorized usage such as poaching, construction of homes, hunting and shopping malls by individuals and groups.[5] It is one of the green facilities in Accra assisting with control of carbon emissions.[6]

Achimota Forest Reserve
Achimota National Forest Reserve
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)[1]
Sign post of the Achimota Forest Reserve
Map showing the location of Achimota Forest Reserve
Map showing the location of Achimota Forest Reserve
Location in Ghana
LocationOkaikwei North Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Nearest cityAccra
Coordinates5°37′28.9″N 0°12′13.5″W
Area360 hectares
Established1930

History

The forest was gazetted in 1930 and had a total size of 494.95 hectares (1,223.0 acres). Currently, the size of the forest reserve is about 360 hectares (890 acres).[7] This Forest Reserve was established to create a green buffer between the Accra City and the Achimota School. Most of the animals from the Accra Zoo were moved to the forest reserve when the Presidential Palace was built. Currently, it is managed as an arboretum and Wildlife Rescue Center. Animals such as pythons, a camel, ostriches, hyenas, monkeys and others can be found in the forest reserve.[8]

Current

The Ghana Forestry Commission planned to change the forest reserve into an eco-tourism center called the "Accra Eco Park".[9] It is expected to have watering points, salt licks, viewing platforms, landscaping, veterinary, introduction of wildlife, biodiversity hotspots, camping sites, road network, eco-lodges and fencing.[8][10]

Benefits
  • Maintenance of animal species which allows wild animals and birds to be in their natural habitats.
  • Revenue from tourism
  • Promotion of clean energy through human health and environmental quality.
  • Promotion of species from extinction.
  • Improvements in air and water quality, richer terrestrial and aquatic habitat, cooler air temperatures.
  • Reservoir of medicinal plants such as the preservation of plants and herbs which has medical benefits.
  • Reduction of radiation levels by increasing green house gases.[5]

Controversy

In May 2022, it was reported that parts of the forest were declassified as a forest reserve.[11] Samuel Abu Jinapor denied that the Government had gazetted an Executive Instrument (E.I.) to approve the re-designation, sale or development of the forest reserve.[6][12][13][14] A family called the Owoo family claimed to be the original owners of the land that has the forest reserve. Between 1921 and 1927, the land was acquired by the colonial government for the Achimota School. In a statement, the family claimed they did not receive compensation for the 1927 acquisition.[15] The family also claimed they suffered, ‘grave historical injustice’ because they have not taken custody of the land.[16][17][18]

References
  1. Protected Area Profile for Achimota Forest Archived October 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  2. Nartey, Laud (2021-06-13). "MCE vows to protect Achimota Forest". 3NEWS.com. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  3. "Achimota Forest". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  4. "Philip Kyeremanteng: Why Achimota Forest must be reserved - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  5. "Ghana govment sell Achimota Forest reserve? - Dis be what we know". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  6. "Achimota Forest not sold — Jinapor". Skyy Power FM. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  7. "Nana Benyin: On the Achimota Forest Reserve lands and related matters - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  8. Awuni, Manasseh Azure. "Inside The Achimota Forest Reserve". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  9. Kwofie, Raymond (15 November 2013). "Ghana: Government Is Developing the Achimota Forest Into a Major Ecotourism Destination". AllAfrica. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  10. "An open letter to Prez Mahama: Stop the destruction of Achimota Forest". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  11. Oforiwaa, Porcia (2022-05-17). "Achimota Forest loses status as forest reserve". Atinka Online. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  12. Online, Peace FM. "Why Achimota Forest Reserve Is Trending On Twitter". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  13. "Achimota Forest not sold -Jinapor – The Chronicle News Online". Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  14. "Why govt decided to declassify parts of the Achimota forest". Prime News Ghana. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  15. "The Owoo family: Know the original owners of the Achimota Forest land". GhanaWeb. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  16. "Achimota Forest saga: We have suffered 'grave historical injustice' - Owoo family - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  17. Nyavor, George (2022-05-19). ""We are yet to take possession of any Achimota land" - Owoo Family react". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  18. Emmanuel, Kojo (2022-05-20). "Achimota Forest: Let's ban the return of state lands to original owners — Ablakwa". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
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