Journalists bewildered, question Akufo-Addo over declassification of Achimota Forest
Anger greets March 31 EI
On the back of reports that government has through an Executive Instrument (E.I), said Achimota Forest Reserve is no longer a forest reserve, various social media platforms have been inundated with reactions with many expressing disappointments in the Akufo-Addo administration for taking such an action.
Like other tweeps, Nana Aba Anamoah expressed shock over the development. The renowned broadcaster was reacting to a tweet by a colleague, Deede Tettey that recalled how President Akufo-Addo on March 1, 2022, declared June 10 as Green Ghana Day only to later issue an Executive Instrument on Cessation of Achimota Forest as a forest reserve.
On Tuesday evening, a document from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource, making reference to an Executive Instrument, stated that the Achimota Forest Reserve is to no longer be regarded as a forest reserve.
“An Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 gazetted on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by the Lands Minister Samuel Abdulai Jinapor indicates that effective May 1, 2022, the land on which the Forest is located shall cease to be a forest reserve.
“The President’s action was in accordance with Section 19 of the Forest Act, 1927 (CAP. 157) which gives him the authority to declare that particular land is no longer required as a forest reserve,” portions of the purported E.I. read.
Meanwhile, nvestigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has in a tweet also questioned the actions of the president.
Nana Aba Anamoah