The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says it is investigating claims that the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John bequeathed portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve to his relatives.
This comes on the heels of an alleged will of the late Owusu Afriyie which has gifted parcels of the Achimota Forest lands to his family.
Also, three different lands said to be situated within the Achimota Forest have been distributed to some of the late CEO’s family members.
The contents of the said Will which names five persons as beneficiaries of the said lands have drawn sharp criticism from a section of the populace who are questioning the government’s true intent behind moves to declassify the Achimota Forest Reserve through an Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144.
But in a swift rebuttal, the Lands Ministry says it will investigate the alleged inclusion of Achimota Forest lands in Sir John’s will.
According to the Ministry, it takes “a very serious view of the allegations and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims. Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him to take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.”
Here is the full statement issued by the Ministry:
