The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has declared the Dodowa and Kantamanso forests as security zones to restrain all human activities in the enclave.
The declaration follows a petition by the Greater Accra House of Chiefs during a presentation of seed money for the construction of the House Auditorium and Coastal bus to the traditional leaders by Dr Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia, Vice President.
The donation was done by Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Minister for the Greater Accra region, on behalf of the Vice President at Dodowa last week, Thursday.
In furtherance of the petition, REGSEC met in Accra on Friday, July 12, 2024 to affirm and seal the order given by the regional minister, halting all developments in the Dodowa Forest and extended same to the Kantamanso Forest.
Mr. Titus Glover, during a press briefing, stated that the House reliably informed REGSEC that the forests are being encroached by people from Obosumase in the Eastern region, who are also claiming ownership of the land.
To avoid clashes leading to unwarranted violence between the people of Dodowa and Obosumase, both sides have been invited to present their documents covering the forest for the Land Commission to establish the original owner.
He said the forests are of historical significance to the Ga-Dangbe people and everything that is needed to be done to protect it will be put in place.
“We will liaise with the Land Commission to settle the boundary conflict between these two regions. Our duty as REGSEC is to protect life and property. We do not want any clash between residents of Dodowa and the people from Obosumase.”
Earlier at the presentation ceremony, the Minister promised to consult with his colleague Minister in the Easter region to resolve the matter.
The Minister also announced a freeze on lands captured in Accra and indicated to the House that, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, former minister for Justice and Attorney-General, had been appointed to secure Ga-Dangbe lands.
He also warned imposters to be advised against walking on the corridors of chiefs, urging the House to nip such characters in the bud. He also talked about clean-up exercises that are going to take place across the region and called on the chiefs to ensure that their divisions participate in it.
Oboade Notse Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, the Paramount Chief of Nungua and Acting President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs said protecting the Dodowa Forest was their first assignment to minister to prove himself worthy, as son of the Ga-Dangbe land.
Other chiefs complained about how security is gradually failing in their divisions, to a point where some police officers have turned into land guards or guarding land guards.
Some of the Chiefs also wanted lands in government’s possession that are being diverted from the original purpose.
