Cabinet has revoked Executive Instrument (EI) 144, restoring the Achimota Forest Reserve to its original protected status.

The decision was announced by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during the Government Accountability Series media briefing held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The revocation reverses the 2022 decision that removed a portion of the forest from the reserve, effectively reinstating the legal status of the forest as declared in 1927.

According to the Minister, Cabinet approved the revocation of EI 144 on June 24, 2026, bringing to an end the legal changes introduced under the instrument and its amendment, EI 234, which excised about 361.5 acres from the southern section of the reserve.

EI 144, which was gazetted in April 2022, allocated the affected portion of the forest to the Owoo family, identified as the pre-acquisition owners of the land.

The move sparked widespread public debate, with environmental groups, civil society organisations and some Members of Parliament calling for the restoration of the forest’s full reserve status due to concerns over possible encroachment and environmental degradation.

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said the decision demonstrates government’s commitment to protecting the Achimota Forest Reserve, which he described as Accra’s largest remaining urban forest.

“This is the only last man standing forest cover in Accra, and President Mahama is determined to protect it at all costs,” he said.

He noted that the forest plays a critical role in environmental conservation by improving air quality, supporting biodiversity and serving as a green buffer for Accra and surrounding communities.

The Lands Minister added that restoring the reserve’s full protected status reflects government’s determination to preserve key natural resources and safeguard the forest for future generations.

The Achimota Forest Reserve, established in 1927, has over the years remained one of Ghana’s most significant urban ecological assets, despite facing increasing pressure from development and land-use demands.