Cabinet Revokes E.I. 144, Restores Full Protected Status of Achimota Forest

Cabinet has ordered the immediate revocation of Executive Instrument 144, a move that will return the entire Achimota Forest Reserve to its original protected status.

E.I. 144 came into force on May 1, 2022. It removed about 361.5 acres, roughly 146 hectares, from the Achimota Forest Reserve and reclassified the land for other uses. The instrument included detailed survey maps of the exact portions to be de-gazetted.

The decision sparked strong backlash at the time. Environmental groups, civil society organizations and members of the public warned that de-gazetting parts of the forest would open it up to commercial and residential development. They argued this would put one of Accra’s last major urban green spaces at risk.

Announcing the reversal at the Government Accountability Series, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, said the government is prioritizing the preservation of the forest for future generations.

According to the Minister, the decision reflects government’s commitment to protecting the forest’s ecological value and its role in maintaining environmental balance in Accra and surrounding communities.

He explained that by revoking E.I. 144 and its amendment, E.I. 234, Cabinet is effectively reversing the earlier changes. Once the revocation takes effect, all lands that were taken out of the reserve will automatically regain their status as protected forest land.

The Achimota Forest has long served as a key ecological zone for the capital. It helps with carbon storage, improves air quality, conserves biodiversity, regulates temperature, and provides a vital recreational space for residents.