Accra: The Human Environment and Livelihood Platform (HELP) Foundation Africa has commended the Government of Ghana for revoking Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 and restoring the Achimota Forest to its full status as a protected forest reserve. The foundation described the decision as a significant step towards strengthening environmental conservation, sustainable natural resource governance, and climate resilience in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the foundation's statement, signed by Mr. Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah, Executive Director of HELP Foundation Africa, emphasized the government's commitment to balancing national development with environmental protection. This move aims to safeguard the country's natural heritage for future generations. The foundation noted that Achimota Forest is Ghana's most important urban forest and the only gazetted forest reserve within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
The foundation highlighted the forest's vital ecological roles, such as improving air quality, reducing urban temperatures, mitigating flood risks, conserving biodiversity, storing carbon, and offering opportunities for environmental education, recreation, and scientific research. They believe that revoking E.I. 144 will restore public confidence in environmental governance and reinforce the constitutional obligation to protect Ghana's natural resources in the national interest.
HELP Foundation Africa praised the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for his leadership and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns regarding the forest's ecological significance. They also acknowledged the contributions of civil society organizations, traditional authorities, professional bodies, environmental experts, academia, the Forestry Commission, the media, and citizens whose advocacy maintained the issue on the national agenda.
The foundation expressed hope that restoring the Achimota Forest Reserve would mark the beginning of renewed efforts to protect Ghana's remaining forest reserves and other ecologically sensitive areas from degradation. They urged the government to provide permanent and irreversible legal protection for the entire Achimota Forest Reserve and develop and implement a comprehensive Achimota Forest Management and Restoration Plan.
The foundation called for restoring degraded sections of the forest through indigenous tree planting and ecological rehabilitation. They also emphasized the need for strengthened enforcement against encroachment, illegal development, and activities threatening the forest's ecological integrity. Additionally, they advocated for promoting the forest as a flagship urban ecological park for conservation, recreation, environmental education, climate adaptation, and sustainable ecotourism.
Furthermore, the foundation recommended that the government increase investment in urban forestry, integrate green infrastructure into national and metropolitan development planning, and expand protection and restoration efforts to other threatened forest reserves and critical ecosystems across Ghana.