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The government has defended its decision to convert the Achimota Forest into an ecotourism destination, saying the move has become necessary to save the only greenbelt in Accra from wanton encroachment and abuse. Following that decision, the government has been accused of trying to sell out the Achimota Forest, but the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, has described the accusations as untrue. The main reason for establishing the Achimota Forest Reserve in July 1930 was to create a green buffer between the Achimota School and Accra. It was to be partly managed as a nature reserve, a recreational park and a nature study facility for students and researchers. Today, however, portions of the reserve have been heavily encroached upon, with sections now serving as refuse dumps. Speaking to the media on the issue in Accra yesterday, Alhaji Fuseini said, �We are, indeed, convinced that if the Achimota Forest Reserve is developed into an ecotourism destination, similar to those in other countries such as Kenya, it will provide the city of Accra with a major nature-based recreational facility.� He said the forest would thus be put to good use and management, thereby saving it from further encroachment and refuse dumping. Achimota Forest The Achimota Forest was gazetted as a forest reserve in July 1930 but according to Alhaji Fuseini, no development was planned for it. Over time, it has become a hub for religious activities, hawking and other activities which have impacted rather negatively on the forest. �We have lost a chunk of the forest land, particularly in the Abelenkpe/Dzorwulu area, about 135 hectares, to urban development. Building encroachment and other unauthorised developments have all taken a heavy toll on the forest area,� the minister stated. Currently, a portion of the land is serving as a Wildlife Rescue Centre for animals that were moved from the former Accra Zoo. The decision To halt the destruction and encroachment of the forest, the Forestry Commission decided in 2009 to develop the reserve into an ecotourism facility. Alhaji Fuseini said the leadership of the commission decided to search for success stories related to the development of recreational parks. The search, he explained, took the team to the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, which attracts over 96,000 visitors and earns about US$8 million annually. Riding on the back of the success chalked up in the Kakum National Park which attracts about 120,000 visitors and rakes in about US$240,000 yearly, the team decided to develop the Achimota Forest Reserve into an ecotourism facility.