The Association of Women in Sustainability Professionals (AWSP) has commended the Government for restoring Achimota Forest to its original status as a Forest Reserve, describing the decision as a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen environmental governance and promote sustainable urban development.
The commendation follows the Government’s revocation of Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, through a Cabinet directive announced on June 24, 2026, by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
According to the association, the decision reverses the 2022 excision of 361.5 acres of the reserve, bringing the entire forest back under protected status and reaffirming the country’s commitment to safeguarding urban green spaces.
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In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Thelma Frimpong Mensah, AWSP said the decision marks a turning point in Ghana’s efforts to safeguard urban green spaces and enhance climate resilience.
According to the association, Achimota Forest is more than a natural resource. Located in the heart of Accra and covering more than 1,200 acres, the forest serves as the city’s largest remaining urban forest, providing critical ecological services including improved air quality, biodiversity conservation, and protection against flooding and rising urban temperatures.
The organization noted that the restoration will help preserve more than 200 plant species and over 150 bird species while strengthening the capital’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
AWSP also highlighted the forest’s cultural and social significance, describing it as an important recreational and spiritual space that contributes to the physical and mental well-being of millions of residents in one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities.
The association said the revocation effectively reverses the 2022 excision of 361.5 acres of the reserve, halting speculative development and reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to protecting urban green infrastructure.
It further stated that the decision enhances Ghana’s credibility in implementing its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement by supporting the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and positioning Accra as a leader in urban sustainability on the African continent.
AWSP emphasized that the restoration should not be viewed merely as a policy reversal but as recognition that urban forests constitute critical infrastructure necessary for combating climate change, reducing pollution, and mitigating heat stress.
The association stressed that women, who often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental degradation through health challenges, caregiving responsibilities, and economic vulnerabilities, should play a central role in the planning, management, and restoration of Achimota Forest.
“As sustainability professionals, we view this decision not only as a legal correction but as an opportunity to embed justice, equity and inclusion into forest governance,” the statement said.
To ensure the long-term protection of the reserve, AWSP called on government to implement transparent governance and enforcement measures to prevent future encroachment. It also urged authorities to adopt restoration strategies that prioritize ecological services over extractive uses, while ensuring that women, young people, and marginalized groups are actively involved in decision-making processes.
The association further advocated for the integration of Achimota Forest into Accra’s urban planning framework, describing the reserve as essential green infrastructure for the city’s sustainable future.
AWSP urged government institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners to seize the opportunity presented by the directive to transform Achimota Forest into a flagship restoration project capable of inspiring similar conservation initiatives across Ghana.
The Association of Women in Sustainability Professionals is a global network founded in Ghana that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy among women working to advance environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Source: Publicagenda.news
