The Minority in Parliament has called for the annulment of Executive Instrument 144, which declassified sections of the Achimota Forest as a forest reserve.

In addition, the caucus is pushing for the repeal of Legislative Instrument 2462, which could open the country's forest reserves to mining leases for extended periods, potentially up to 24 years.

The plea was made during the budget approval debate for the Lands and Natural Resources sector. Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, the Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, emphasized the critical need for the government to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding Ghana's forest reserves.

“I want to reiterate a request we made earlier to the Minister to revoke L.I 2462 on the Environmental Protection Act or to work with the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources to revoke Act L. I 2462 2022 which is allowing mining in reserve areas,” stated Dr. Pelpuo.

He expressed concern about the incongruity between the mining allowances and the core mandate of the Ministry in protecting and enhancing the country's forestry.

Dr Pelpuo also highlighted the insufficient funds allocated to the Ministry, stating, “Mr Speaker, as the Chairman has said, we are worried about the fact that there is a problem of low release of funds and low allocation of budgetary [funds] to the ministry, and we wish that this trend could be reversed.”

Dr. Pelpuo underscored the significance of land in defining the sovereignty of a state, calling for the Minister for Finance's attention to the matter.

He warned the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to execute his mission effectively when budgets are allocated to his Ministry.

Dr. Pelpuo emphasized the need for robust supervision concerning the country's natural resources.