By: Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio, Dept. of Geography, UG

1. Introduction

Traveling on the George Walker Bush Highway from Tetteh Quarshie to Lapaz, motorists encounter a revitalizing shift in atmosphere as they traverse the Achimota Forest area. The vibrant foliage evokes tranquility, prompting a desire for a comparable landscape across Accra.  

The Achimota Forest Reserve, located in the center of the Greater Accra Region, is one of Ghana’s most important green areas. It acts as a biodiversity hub and a crucial urban lung, contributing significantly to the area’s environmental well-being. Unfortunately, this priceless resource has faced and continues to confront various unnecessary challenges jeopardizing its survival. 

Recent events in the forest indicate significant urban planning neglect, limited institutional capacity, and a lack of community concern, contributing to the Achimota Forest Reserve’s decline (approximately 0.35% annually) from 1999 to 2019. Protecting the Achimota Forest is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting the well-being of communities reliant on its ecosystem services, particularly in enhancing their livability amidst rapid urbanisation and climate change.

2. Historical and Ecological Importance 

Established in 1930 for research, recreation, and environmental conservation, the Achimota Forest Reserve is one of the few remaining tropical forests in the urbanised Greater Accra Region. Spanning approximately 360 hectares, it is home to over 300 plant species, diverse bird species, and small mammals, including some endangered species. 

The Achimota Forest plays a vital role in the urban landscape of Greater Accra by regulating air quality, controlling soil erosion, and alleviating the effects of climate change. Additionally, it acts as a natural buffer against urbanization’s negative impacts, effectively filtering air pollutants and functioning as a carbon sink. 

3. The Need for Preservation  

The Accra Zoological Gardens is situated within the forest and features a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, cheetahs, lions, and exotic birds. Achimota Forest offers vital ecosystem services such as carbon absorption, air purification, and water management. Located close to the George Walker Bush Highway, it helps reduce vehicular emissions and absorbs significant rainfall, thereby lowering flood risks. It acts as Accra’s main green belt, shielding the city from environmental harm. As a popular tourist attraction, the forest includes the Accra Zoo and draws thousands of visitors each month, providing revenue for the city. Additionally, the forest is a spiritual refuge for many, with daily visitors seeking prayer and meditation, which some believe plays a role in Ghana’s stability.  

Threats to the Achimota Forest 

Despite its significance, the Achimota Forest encounters critical challenges, notably increasing urbanisation and land encroachment. As Accra grows, the demand for land has resulted in deforestation and intrusion into the forest. Sections of the reserve have been cleared for construction, putting its biodiversity and ecosystem functions at risk. Additionally, illegal activities such as logging, waste dumping, and pollution harm the delicate ecosystem. Weather patterns exacerbate these threats, further damaging the forest’s natural systems.  

4. Declassification of Reserve:

As urban green infrastructure diminishes worldwide due to urbanisation and climate change, the plight of Achimota Forest is exacerbated by a lack of critical understanding of its significance, poor planning and management, and troubling mindsets driven by the relentless greed of political and public officials. In 2022, an Executive Instrument (E.I. 144) issued by the President of the Republic declassified sections of the forest, leading to public protests from civil society and worried Ghanaians. This spontaneous outcry seemed to have ended the discussion permanently.  

A recent local plan from the Okaikei North Municipal Assembly indicates (see figure below) that the declassification affects not just a part of the Forest but virtually the entire area has been alarmingly re-zoned without consideration. If this goes forward, the repercussions will be severe and dire.

5. Lest we forget.

In the last 40 years, the number of individuals impacted by disasters worldwide has markedly risen. According to the Red Cross, from 1991 to 1999, an average of 354 disasters occurred yearly, which continues to climb. In 2018 alone, 315 disasters resulted in 11,804 deaths, affected over 68 million individuals, and caused global economic losses of US$131.7 billion. This burden is not distributed evenly: Asia experienced the most severe effects, representing 45% of disaster occurrences, 80% of fatalities, and 76% of those impacted. Moreover, the weight of these disasters is primarily borne by those already facing systemic inequalities and injustices in society, often called the “vulnerable.” 

Reducing disaster risk—and implicitly human vulnerability—is foundational to sustainable development. Post-2015, if we aspire to the targets of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), we must first have a clear understanding of the differential and discriminatory impacts of disasters—and how risk is being created through “status quo” development in the first place. Understanding the processes that turn hazards into disasters, leading to loss and damage, is an initial step. This is critical in light of climate change and the potential for modification of extreme weather events. 

Historically, a vision emphasizing the understanding of natural processes alongside a technocratic approach to ‘controlling’ these processes has dominated. Disasters have often been labeled “natural” and attributed solely to nature. A key consequence of this view is that no individual bears responsibility for the loss of life and property attributed to nature’s actions. This perspective paves the way for discussions around disasters that sidestep social and political critique, which some might find appealing. Nonetheless, there is a gradual yet welcomed shift towards recognizing that disaster risk arises from societal factors. We (humans) generate risk ourselves. Disasters stem from various economic, social, cultural, and political processes; while hazards themselves cannot be stopped, the impact of disasters can be mitigated.

6. Conclusion  

The Achimota Forest Reserve is a vital resource that must be preserved to benefit the environment and the people of Accra. With rapid urbanisation, protecting green spaces must become a national priority, or we risk facing an avoidable cost. By establishing strong and commonsense legal frameworks, implementing sustainable development policies, and fostering community engagement, Ghana can secure the Achimota Forest’s long-term future. Its conservation is both a local issue and a global responsibility, demanding collaborative efforts to safeguard it for future generations.