When the last tree dies, the last man dies – Ga State explains why they joined the Achimota Forest conversation
Custodians of the Ga land waded into the Achimota Forest Reserve land sale controversy by issuing advice to the government in that regard.
And in response to questions on why they had to join the conversation, Mr Jonathan Nii Tackie Commey spokesperson for the Ga Mantse while speaking on the Active Morning Show said “the land was taken in the 1920s by the British for a purpose and that is why it was preserved as a Green belt .’’
And referring to the saying that “when the last tree dies the last man dies,” he added that “if you take it for the people how sure are you that they will help preserve the forest since it is very important to the existence of mankind and there are special people trained to tackle environmental issues that are why the Chiefs of the Ga state are calling on the government to give the needed compensation to the family and preserve the land”.
The spokesperson also confirmed the fact that the Owoo family are indigenes of Kwasee in Ga Mashie but would not want to go into whether the said land belongs to them or not.
When quizzed about what would be the next step of the Ga state if the government does not heed their advice to preserve the land he said “for us, custodians of the Ga state we have brought out our suggestion and power lies in the hands of government to pay heed or not but it would be best for government to consider suggestions most environmentalists have brought up regarding how preserving the land would inure to Ghana’s benefit”.
On preparations of the Ga state for the Homowo, “Shaming hunger” festival, the spokesperson indicated that plans are far advanced to celebrate the festival which commenced with the ban on drumming and dancing and then the various tribes under the Ga state take turns to celebrate the festival.
Since the exposé of the purported will of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie also known as Sir John who was the former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission by the Fourth Estate’s Manasseh Azure Awuni in which the late NPP capo willed some plots of land of the forest reserve to his relations, several calls have been made asking the government to reconsider its decision to declassify portions of the forest. Many said it is a confirmation that the government is indeed selling the forest.
