The Forestry Commission has warned that the Achimota Forest Reserve, the only forest reserve in the Greater Accra Region, is coming under increasing pressure from degradation and has appealed to corporate bodies and the public to support efforts to restore and protect it.
The appeal was made on Friday, June 26, 2026, when Prudential Bank Limited planted 200 trees at the reserve in Accra as part of its sixth annual tree planting exercise under the National Trees for Life Initiative.
Staff of the bank planted mahogany, Milicia and Gmelina trees using the enrichment planting method, in which new trees are introduced into strips created within existing thicket.
The exercise also forms part of a wider restoration programme covering the Achimota Forest Reserve and the Chipa Forest Reserve.
The Forest Range Manager of the Forestry Commission’s Achimota Forest District, Ms Emilia Oduro, said the 144 hectare reserve plays an important role in controlling erosion in Accra and protecting the city’s environment.
“Achimota Forest Reserve is the only reserve in the Greater Accra Region and in the capital of Ghana,” she said.
“It aids in controlling massive erosion in the city of Accra.”
Ms Oduro appealed to more institutions to join the national tree planting campaign, saying parts of the reserve had been degraded and needed continued restoration.
“I will encourage other institutions to also embark on this programme because restoring Ghana helps us all to have a greener future and a good environment,” she said.
“The weather conditions these days are very harsh. When we plant and restore degraded areas, it helps us reduce the effects of all those harsh weather conditions.”
She also expressed concern about illegal dumping of plastic waste in the reserve.
According to her, some prayer groups who enter restricted parts of the forest continue to leave behind plastic waste despite regular patrols by Forestry Commission personnel.
The Executive Head of Operations of Prudential Bank Limited, Mr Felix Awuku, said the bank considered environmental protection an important part of its corporate activities.
“We are not only committed to financial growth, but we are also very much interested in environmental sustainability,” Mr Awuku said.
“We came here this morning with our colleagues, a number of whom are in the forest planting trees, and it shows how committed we are together in unity and purpose.”
Mr Awuku said the bank had also introduced environmentally friendly practices in its operations, including replacing rubber bags with paper bags and separating waste at its branches and offices.
The Forestry Commission said enrichment planting also increases the variety of tree species in the forest and offers an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Ghana’s indigenous and commercial tree species.
