Some concerned residents of Dodowa in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region have warned that the historical Dodowa forest reserve would become extinct if steps are not taken to halt encroachment.

Despite several warnings for land owners and estate developers to desist from any form of development within 300-acre radius of the forest reserve, the practice has persisted.

The reserve does not only hold environmental significance but also plays a role in the history of the country as it is recorded that the Ga-Dangme warriors fought the Ashanti forces in the Dodowa forest in August 1826. It has since become a heritage site.

Some unhappy residents who spoke to Class News expressed worry the forest will soon be extinct if nothing is done to immediately halt the fast encroachment.

Public Relations Officer for the Shai Osu-Doku District Assembly, Beatrice Arthur, said the assembly is equally not happy about the sale of the forest lands and will endeavour to protect the cultural heritage of the district.

She said: “The traditional council has written to the district assembly to intervene but we are yet to meet with our lawyer to take it up to represent government. All our tourist sites are supposed to be protected by law so we are doing everything in our power to ensure that the lands and the heritage of Ghana are protected.”

She explained that the lands in the forest were being sold by a queen mother and a chief who are laying claim to the land as an inheritance from their grandfather but the Shai Osu-Doku traditional council are against the sale and currently in court over the matter.