<<Print>>

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has said it is committed to the protection, proper management and utilisation of the lands and natural resources of the country.

The sector Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, has released a 49 point statement chronicling the facts of the matters relating to the recent Achimota Forest saga.

According to him the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been keenly following the spirited public debate relating to the Achimota Forest. Significantly, having responded to the initial allegation that the Achimota Forest Reserve has been de-gazetted and sold, the Ministry has observed that a section of the Public are concerned, and rightly so, about the acreage de-gazetted.

The public interest and scrutiny in this matter is highly welcomed by the Ministry, as that is the only time-tested avenue of protecting our natural resources, which are the heritage of the nation.

"Having painstakingly reviewed the files relating to this subject, beginning from 16th December 1921 to 29th April 2022, the Ministry wishes to provide the background and full facts relating to the acreage de-gazetted,"  Samuel A. Jinapor stated. 

It says government will act on any improper acquisition of public lands, regardless of how it was procured, whether now or in the past, and the Achimota Forest Lands will not be an exception.

"The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the Achimota Forest is an integrate part of Government's plan for the protection of our forest cover and our agenda for aggressive afforestation and reaforestation. As always, Government will continue to deal with the matters relating to the Forest with the highest standards of transparency and integrity and act with utmost good faith and in the public interest," a portion of a statement signed by Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources said.

Read attached the background and full facts relating to the Achimota Forest: