.... Directive from office of the President
... Forest Reserve Since July 1930
Achimota Forest, the only surviving greenbelt in the Accra Metropolis is set to be sold to an entrepreneur who wants to build a shopping mall. The decision to dispose off the Achimota forest came from the Castle and extreme pressure is currently on the Lands Commission, Forestry Commission and the Wildlife Division to fast track the necessary procedures.

The intended sale of Achimota Forest was couched in deceptive language in a letter dated September 8, 2008 addressed to the Forestry Commission.

Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Alhaji Baryeh confirmed in the letter that the decision to sell the only greenbelt in Accra is a directive from the office of the President through the Minister of lands, Forestry and Mines.

"This has become necessary as a result of a directive from the office of the President through the Honourable Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines requesting the commission to undertake a feasibility analysis aimed at converting the subject site into a high density commercial centre" the letter states.

The letter of the Lands Commission was headed REQUEST FOR PLANNING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL, LAND ADJOINING THE ACCRA TEMA MOTORWAY EXTENTION.

It requested the Forestry Commission to make its input into the venture, since the sale is "essential that the intended user is not at variance with other areas."

The Insight was told the management of Forestry commission was locked up in a marathon meeting over the issue. Insiders tell The Insight the directive from the Presidency is likely to be opposed.

The Achimota Forest was gazetted as a Forest Reserve in July 1930.