What Do Our Leaders Use Their "Heads" For? Sale Of Achimota Forest Scares Me! - Kwesi Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr.has grouched about the insistent urge by the nation's leaders to construct some social facilities at the Achimota Forest. According to Kwesi Pratt Jnr., the establishment of a hotel, car park, amusement and prayer centers at the Achimota forest as planned by the government amounts to tampering with the country's reserves. He believed the move will not augur well for the future of the economy. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Mr. Pratt wondered why the proponents for turning the Achimota Forest into an amusement park have decided to turn deaf ears to the numerous opposing voices. “Leaders are talking. The experts are also talking. We’re all talking but no one is listening to us .  . What do our leaders use their heads for?” he said euphemistically. Mr. Pratt was pessimistic the action will destroy the forest. To him, instead of building a hotel and the other amenities; the government should rather initiate proper ways to maintain the forest by practicing afforestation. Government of Ghana has decided to cede the 16.2 square kilometers Achimota Forest Reserve to a foreign investor for eco-tourism. Reports indicate that the government has signed an agreement with Aikan Capital Limited for the Achimota Forest Reserve situated in Accra to be transformed into an eco-tourism facility. But to Mr. Pratt, danger is looming should the Achimota forest be used for different purposes because the forest serves as a buffer zone preventing flooding in Accra. He also expressed worry over the adamant position by the authorities, stressing that several agencies with expertise on environmental protection like the National Development Planning Commission have spoken ill about the plan saying "it will destroy the ecology of Accra". "It scared me when they said the forest will not be touched", Mr. Pratt addressed the authorities, further asking whether they will build the projects on top of trees. “Will they build the hotel on top of the trees? Because if you’ll build the hotel on ground, you have to fell a tree before you build the hotel. It scared me when they said the forest will not be touched. Are they going to build the amusement centre on the branches of the trees? So, obvious; they’re going to destroy the forest.”

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana