The mischief that commenced over a simple announcement by government that a segment of the Achimota Forest in Accra was going to be developed into an Eco-tourist park has fallen flat.
Immediately the announcement was made, certain figures including politicians, started accusing government officials of trying to sell the forest to private persons to develop some super structures.
The perpetrators of the heinous agenda nearly succeeded, but as it stands now, majority of Ghanaians have come to appreciate the importance of the Eco-tourism.
Initially, the mischief makers nearly succeeded in pitching those who use the forest for prayers and other religious activities against the government and the Forestry Commission. Today, worshipers have come to appreciate the project and are happier with the fact that a portion has been earmarked as a spiritual enclave.
The mischievous persons made the worshipers understand that they would be thrown out of the forest because of the park.
A visit to the forest and interactions with some worshipers point to the fact that they have embraced the project and are looking forward for its commencement.
Yesterday, The Enquirer newspaper spoke to a number of worshipers who said they now have a proper understanding of the project based on their interaction with officials of the Forestry commission.
According to them, the religious enclave thing within the park would make the whole project unique and that was an indication that those handling the project have the worshipers at heart.
The move to have the Eco-park did not start under that National Democratic Congress (NDC), but under the erstwhile Kufuor administration.
What the current administration sought to do was to continue from where Kufuor's administration left because the development of the Eco-park has been realized to be a profitable venture and would not destroy the forest as it is being portrayed.
The park, to be called Accra Eco Park, would not be different from other Eco-parks around the world, especially like those in Kenya, where thousands of tourists troop to every year.
The Accra Eco-Park is expected to generate over $86,441,905 in the first year of operations, leveling off at $230,937,836 in the 10th year of operations.
Shockingly, persons who have had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and other countries with such parks are the very persons peddling lies about what is to become of the forest in the near future.
Documents of study that went into the project available to 'The Enquirer' indicate that the Accra Eco-Park will contribute to the improvement of Eco-Tourism and hospitality industries with the introduction of such a major park in West Africa with technology savvy facilities, amenities and innovation in amusement and recreational activities.
The study into the project concluded that, considering the viability of the project, the Forestry Commission should be offered the necessary support for the establishment of the Accra Eco-Park.
In that study, it came out that the project was economically sound and environmentally sustainable and will contribute towards the creation of jobs, business development and would help in the maintenance and enhancement of the Achimota Forest to the education on wildlife and nature conversation awareness, and to augment the budget of the Forestry Commission.
It will also contribute the projects quota towards the economic development of Ghana.
During Kufuor’s administration, there were wild rumors the administration had sold the forest to some foreigners to construct a shopping mall, when indeed it was for the Eco-park.
The late Professor Evans Atta Mills was also reported have approved of the project after he was fully briefed about it.
The government will not have to bring a pesewa on board to see the project through as funding would come from private partners.
A different set of documents gleaned by The Enquirer indicates that a fraction of the forest would be used for the project.
Again, no structure currently on portions of the forest would be touched as those kicking against the important project want the world to believe.
As a matter of fact, an area within the forest has been allocated as a spiritual enclave for religious activities.
In addition to that, other portions of the forest have been ceded to the allodia owners of the forest, although compensations were paid to them when the British acquired the place during the colonial days.
Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini at a press conference late last year in Accra, said the government will not go against its manifesto promise to reinforce the protection and management of national parks, forest and other wildlife protected areas to sustain biodiversity, research, education, recreation and Eco-tourism.
According to the minister, the move to develop the Eco-park was to save the forest from further destruction. Alhaji Fuseini, who sounded worried, said it was unfortunate that those raising the false alarm had not found it necessary to approach the ministry for explanation.
Dr. Paa Kwasi Nduom, Presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in the 2012 elections, is among those raising alarm on the forest.
He, in particular, went ahead to accuse President John Mahama of taking steps to destroy the forest. But Alhaji Fuseini told the press that the development of Eco-park would benefit the country and no other country.
“The proposed Accra Eco-Park project has enormous potential to bring lots of benefits to many Ghanaians in general and residents of Accra in particular. We shall save the forest from further encroachment, and jobs opportunities will be created,” he said.
Copyright © 1994 - 2024 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
