The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has clarified matters relating to the acreage of the Achimota Forest given to the Owoo Family. Last week, reports in a section of the media suggested that the Achimota Forest Reserve had been declassified as a Forest Reserve and sold. In a Press Conference held at the Ministry, the Minister said the allegations were false and baseless. He noted that it was the peripheral portions of the Forest, which had already been granted to the Owoo Family since 2013 that had been degazetted to allow the Family and their sub-lessees develop the land in accordance with the leases granted to them. He said the core part of the Forest, had by the Forests (Achimota Firewood Plantation Forest Reserve) (Amendment) Instrument, 2022 (E.I. 154), been affirmed as a Forest Reserve and the Government was committed to protecting it. Since that clarification, commentary on the matter has centred largely on the size of the Forest granted to the Owoo Family. By the Forests (Cessation of Forest Reserve) Instrument, 2022 (E.I. 144), a total of 361.50 acres has been de-gazetted as a Forest Reserve. In a Press Statement issued on Tuesday, 24th May, 2022, the Minister explained that Government, in 2008, agreed to grant 90 acres of the Forest Reserve to the Owoo Family. However, in 2011, a Ministerial Committee, chaired by the then Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Samuel Afari-Dartey, recommended the release of 118.023 acres on the ground that the Government was giving a portion of the Forest different from where the Family had requested. This was approved by another Ministerial Committee in 2013, chaired by the then Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah. Subsequently, former President John Dramani Mahama granted Executive Approval for the release of the 118.023 acres of the land to the Owoo Family. However, by three leases executed by the Forestry Commission on 30th September, 2013, the Commission granted a total of 148.411 acres to the Family. The Commission in 2014 granted an additional 50.09 acres to the Family, bringing the total land granted to the Family to 198.501 acres. The Statement said in 2018, the Forestry Commission wrote to the Owoo Family that portions of the land granted to them were “ecologically sensitive areas requiring critical protection.” The Commission therefore offered different portions of the Forest to the Owoo Family in return for those ecologically sensitive areas. This led to negotiations between the Family and the Commission, with the Family demanding more land on grounds that the Commission was taking away more valuable land in return for less valuable land, and that the Family will be overburdened by legal actions and costs from the people they have already granted those lands to. Following these negotiations, in 2020, the Forestry Commission executed a Deed of Variation which granted the Family a total of 329.012 acres. Mr. Jinapor said in 2021, the Owoo Family petitioned him again for the release of the land. Having sought the technical advice of the Forestry Commission and the Forestry Directorate of the Ministry, he wrote to the President for directions. The President granted Executive Approval for the release of the land and the Forestry Commission submitted Schedules totalling 355.466 acres for the preparation of the Executive Instrument. According to the Statement, the Commission explained that the discrepancies in the figures were the result of field visits and thorough analysis which shows that the actual acreage of the Forest and the actual acreage agreed to be released to the Owoo Family. The Statement says when the Ministry submitted the Schedules for the preparation of the Executive Instrument to de-gazette the Forest, the Attorney-General requested for Site Plans and Schedules prepared by the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission. When officials of the Lands Commission went onto the field, they also noted that the Forestry Commission’s Plans had not been drawn to scale and that the actual area of land on the ground, being released to the Family was 361.50 acres. The Minister says it is this Final Plan and Schedule by the Lands Commission that was used to prepare the Executive Instruments releasing portions of the land to the Owoo Family. The Statement said the Ministry is committed to protecting the Achimota Forest and it will initiate a process of an independent audit into the specific matter. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says it intends to commission an independent audit into the matters relating to the de-gazetting of the peripheral portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve. This was contained in a Statement issued by the sector Minster, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 on the Achimota Forest matters. There were reports, earlier last week, that the Achimota Forest has been reclassified and sold. However, in a sharp rebuttal, the Ministry said only the peripheral portions of the Forest Reserve, which had been leased to the Owoo Family, were de-gazetted. It said the core portions of the Forest Reserve, had been preserved by the Forests (Achimota Firewood Plantation Forest Reserve) (Amendment) Instrument, 2022 (E.I. 154). A section of the public have, however, raised concerns about the size of the land de-gazetted as a Forest Reserve. But in the Press Statement issued by the Minister, the Ministry said the acreage de-gazetted were submitted by the technical people from the Forestry Commission. The Statement narrated the history of the various variations in the acreage de-gazetted, from 2008 to the date of final publication of the Executive Instrument. The Statement also hints of plans to undertake independent audit into the acreage released as a Forest Reserve. “The Ministry intends to initiate a process of an independent audit on the specific issue of the acreage de-gazetted and will act accordingly in the public interest, should that become necessary,” the Statement said. It adds that the Government will act on all improper acquisition of land, whether now or in the past. The Ministry says it is committed to the protection, proper management and utilisation of the lands and natural resources of the country, and that the Achimota Forest is an integral part of Government’s plan for the protection of the country’s forest cover and the afforestation and reforestation agenda. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Veteran Ghanaian football administrator, Alhaji Grusah has said the current Black Stars technical team must be maintained for the upcoming 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers. Otto Addo together with Didi Dramani and George Boateng as assistant coaches with Chris Hughton masterminded Ghana's qualification for the Mundial scheduled to be hosted in Qatar later this year. Following the qualification, the quartets who were named on the interim basis for the playoff games have been touted to lead the team for the World Cup. Alhaji Grunsah, who also doubles as a management committee member of the Black Stars has called on the Ghana FA to make it official as soon as possible. "We are preparing for the Afcon. The FA should announce the new head coach of Black Stars soon," he told Akoma FM. "It should either be Chris Hughton or Otto Addo but the father of the nation, President Nana Addo wants us to maintain the entire technical team and that is what we must do. 'Chris Hughton is a gentleman and a good adviser, it will be great to have both coaches at the World Cup, I want them to work together," he added. Ghana will play Madagascar and Central African Republic in the qualifiers for AFCON 2023 early next month. Ghana have been drawn together with Uruguay, South Korea, and Portugal in the world cup group stages. Story by: Samuel Ekow Amoasi Appiah

Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Nana Oduro Sarfo has described people who engage in match-fixing as witches or wizards. AshantiGold SC and Inter Allies have dominated the local media following their demotion to Division Two after playing match of convenience in the matchday 34 games at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium during the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season. However, the two sides have all rejected the ruling claiming they are innocent with AshantiGold SC ready to appeal the decision by dragging the GFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sports. But speaking in an interview, the experienced football administrator believes the ruling is better and should serve as a deterrent to others who intend of fixing matches in the future. "Anyone who is not deterred by this ruling to stay away from match manipulation is probably a witch or wizard," the Berekum Chelsea Chief Executive Officer told Kumasi-based Akoma FM. "If AshGold has been demoted, how much more the likes of Berekum Chelsea, Elmina Sharks, or Karela when they are caught in a similar situation. "Many people were happy with the verdict because it will serve as a deterrent to other clubs. Anyone who will repeat such acts is something else," he added. Story by: Samuel Ekow Amoasi Appiah

The Osu Stool has denied commenting on the ownership of the Achimota Forest reserve, portions of which were recently declassified by government through an executive instrument. “The attention of the Osu stool has been drawn to statements purportedly made in its name on matters in response of the Achimota Forest and wish to state categorically that the Osu stool has not made any public statement on the matter,” a statement issued by the Osu stool on Monday, 23 May 2022, noted. According to the stool, some individuals who have been speaking publicly on the matter, purportedly on behalf of the Stool, do not represent the Stool in any way or form. The Stool identified them as "the indefinitely suspended Osu Kinawe and Osiahene, Nii Nortey Adumuah IV and the alleged spokesperson for the Osu stool, Nii Oti Ankrah", insisting they have no “mandate to speak for either the Osu stool or the Traditional Council". “We wish to state that those comments were not authorised by the Osu stool,” the statement continued. It added: “The Osu stool is critically assessing and discussing the matter of the Achimota Forest ownership and related issues and will soon issue an official statement on it.” Source: classfmonline.com

Brighton and Hove Albion defender, Tariq Lamptey has finally agreed and decided to play for the Ghana national team, the Black Stars according to media reports. The former Chelsea academy graduate has been a key figure for the Premier League side. Lamptey made a total of 31 appearances for the club in the ongoing season. The enterprising lateral, has previously represented England at youth level and has rejected the Black Stars call up for sometime now but is yet to receive a call up to their senior national team. However, the English born of Ghanaian descent has finally decided to play for Ghana and is likely he will make their squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers and the 2022 World Cup which will come up in November this year in Qatar. Currently, the four time African champions will resume camping very soon to start preparations towards the Kirin Cup tournament and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on June 1. The Black Stars will host Madagascar at the Cape Coast Stadium. Story by: Samuel Ekow Amoasi Appiah

Police are on a manhunt for an assistant headmaster at the Bole Senior High School (SHS), Issahaku Jeduah, for allegedly raping a final year student. Information gathered by Adom News’ Rebecca Nantomah indicates that, Mr Jeduah is said to have raped the 21-year-old student in his office. A complaint was filed at the Bole District Police Command for his arrest. However, the Police said the suspect was missing in action when a team deployed to the school arrived. The victim is currently at the Bole District government hospital for tests and further treatment. Credit: Adom News

A man is being held in police custody in Chimoio, Central Mozambique, after admitting attempting to sever a taxi driver’s genitals. The suspect told officers he posed as a customer to lure the taxi driver to a forest, where together with an accomplice, they assaulted the victim using blunt objects. The unnamed suspect says he is remorseful and intends to help police to track down his partner who is on the run. It’s not known why the taxi driver was targeted, but bald men have in the past been targeted by people seeking to use their body parts for ritual purposes. Credit: BBC

The Kaneshie Polyclinic in the Okaikoi South District of the Greater Accra region has been shutdown following heavy downpour which started at midnight of Tuesday, May 24,2022. According to reports, the wall separating the Polyclinic and the Ga Mantse Palace got broken, which made way for the water to enter the premises. Some staff members of the Polyclinic said the situation is not conducive for the administration of healthcare. Management therefore decided to closed down the clinic today to embark on a clean up exercise. The torrential rain which has lasted over 7 hours has caused many residents to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. Some areas in the capital affected include Kaneshie, Adabraka, Weija, Teshie, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Dansoman, Tse Addo and Tesano among others. Watch the video and pictures below: Credit: Adom News

A portion of the Accra-Tema Beach Road has caved in due to a heavy downpour that started on Monday night. Videos and photos available to JoyNews show that one side of the road has completely collapsed, leaving commuters stranded and immovable. Some residents who spoke to JoyNews’ Michael Papanii Asharley attributed the development to a new bridge being constructed on the stretch to replace an older one. According to them, the new bridge could not contain the underground water pressure, causing a part of the road to cave in. “Some of them also mentioned that around 4 am, there was a cement truck and other heavy trucks that used the road, and probably the pressure from that also made the road cave in, eventually,” the reporter said. Meanwhile, a kilometre portion of the road has been blocked and traffic diverted. This is to help prevent further damage to the road and avert any untoward thing. The last rain incident affected several parts of Accra and got homes and residential facilities submerged for the second time in just about four days. Some affected areas in the country’s capital include Kaneshie, Adabraka, Weija, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Dansoman, Tse Addo, and Tesano. Below are some pictures: Credit: Adomfmonline.com

A 16-year-old pupil of Nkwadum D/A Junior High School (JHS) in Ankontombra in the Western North Region has been stabbed to death during a fight. Afua Kumah was stabbed in the chest by her schoolmate in her final year, Francisca Hayford, during an altercation over an alleged lover. A source described the said lover as a well-known ‘pragya’ rider in the district. Adom News correspondent, Augustine Boah, gathered that, the deceased initiated the fight after the suspect allegedly laid a curse on her for snatching her boyfriend. It was during the heat of the moment that the suspect returned home to grab a knife and stab Afua in the chest. She was rushed to the Sefwi Wiaso Government Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body has since been deposited in the hospital’s morgue. Meanwhile, suspect Francisca is in the police custody at Sehwi Akontombra assisting investigations. Mother of the deceased, Akua Safoa, who was uncontrollable, believes had she received help on time, her daughter would have survived. Charles Kwabena Amoako, a physician assistant at the health centre, corroborated Madam Safoa’s claim, adding she lost a lot of blood before she was rushed in. Credit: Adomfmonline.com

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has held a sensitization workshop on the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) for district officers of the Information Services Department (ISD). The one-day program which took place in Kumasi on Monday 16th May 2022 is aimed at empowering the ISD officers to embark on public education campaigns to sensitize Ghanaians on the importance of the E-levy. Deputy Minister of Information, Fatimatu AbubakarAddressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar charged state agencies to partner with the ISD and give it more opportunities to serve especially on public awareness campaigns since the Department has the capacity to get messages to the ground convincingly. Madam Fatimatu Abubakar said just as the department has done so well with other sensitization campaigns, government expects that it will devote much attention and resources to the E-levy campaign and help get the message down to citizens in rural communities. “Our expectation is that after this exercise, many Ghanaians will understand the essence of contributing to the E-levy and as such boost revenue mobilization for developments to benefit all,” she said. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei AsareDeputy Minister of Finance and MP for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare stressed the importance of the E-levy, adding that government is hoping to use the levy to boost revenue generation for development. “It will help us broaden the tax base to include a large portion of the population who are eligible to pay taxes,” she said. The Acting Director of the ISD, David Owusu Amoah charged his officers to take this task as a test case to deliver and get the message to the people in the appropriate language. Below are some pictures: Credit: Citinewsroom