The Chief of Akyem Kotoku State, His Gracious Majesty Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, has issued a strong appeal for the protection of the Kwekaru Forest Reserve, following reports that the land has been leased to Sikadwaso Global Mining Limited, a company said to have Chinese interests.
The Kwekaru Forest, located in the Eastern Region, is regarded as a cultural and spiritual sanctuary. It is home to revered deities, traditional rituals, rare wildlife, and streams that feed the sacred Pra River.
Speaking after a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Oseadeeyo described the lease as a betrayal of tradition and of future generations.
“We cannot allow commercial interest to desecrate what centuries have preserved. Once we lose this forest, we lose a piece of our soul,” the King said.
He further questioned why the decision was taken without consulting traditional authorities and local communities, stressing that development projects must respect identity and culture.
“How can a decision of this magnitude be taken without the voice of the very people who live, worship, and depend on that land?” he asked.
The Chief revealed that the lease was shockingly signed just four days before the presidential transition on January 7, 2025, without any input from the people of Akyem Kotoku.
Dr Brown, in response, said the Forestry Commission had already declined a request from Sikadwaso Global for entry into the forest, adding that the Commission had recently replanted over 500 hectares of the reserve with Cedrela trees. He questioned why a restored reserve should now be handed over for mining. His position drew applause from the King’s entourage.
Oseadeeyo stressed that the fight to protect the Kwekaru Forest was about more than trees. “The Kwekaru Forest Reserve stands not only as an environmental asset but as a sacred trust. If we trade our sacred lands for short-term gains, we will have betrayed future generations,” he declared.
He called on all Ghanaians to defend the nation’s forests against exploitation, reminding them that they represent both natural wealth and cultural identity.
