Netizens reacts over an alleged an alleged document surfaced on the internet, purported to be the last will and testament of the late former CEO of the Forestry Commision, Sir John.

Ministry Reacts;

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says it will investigate a document making rounds on social media alleging that late former Forestry Commission Chief Executive, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, included portions of the Achimota forest lands in his will.

According to the ministry, it has requested all documents related to the land in question as part of an inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

A statement issued on Sunday, May 22, 2022, and published on the Facebook page of the ministry, said the ministry took “a very serious view of the allegations”.

The Ministry further added that this issue predates the tenure of the current minister, Samuel Jinapor.

“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a document making the rounds on social media, which alleges that the late former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, had included portions of the Achimota Forest in his Will, and given out same to individuals who are said to be related to him.”

However, in a Twitter post sighted by our team, a Twitter user divulged the allegations. It read’s;

“The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims. Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.”

“The Ministry assures the general public and the good people of Ghana that it will ensure that the national interest is protected at all times, especially in matters pertaining to the Achimota Forest.”

A purported copy of the will of the late Sir John has been widely shared on social media which claims ownership of a piece of land in the Achimota Forest in the name of the company called DML limited.

See some reactions over the alleged document;

Meanwhile his will, which contains four parcels of specified and unspecified acres of land in the Achimota Forest, which the late politician bequeathed to named persons.

On page 4 of the will, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, whose office was situated at the Achimota Forest until his death, states:

–Yaw Amoateng Afriyie                                  -One (1) acre

— Eva Akua Afriyie                                          One (1) acre

–Ivy Akua Afriyie                                            One (1) acre

–Elizabeth Asare Boateng (aka Mother)        One (1) acre

–Michael Owusu                                            1.541 acres

On page 5 of the will, it is stated:

“I give my land also situate at the Achimota Forest in the name of Fasoh Limited and measuring 0.987acres to my nephews Michael Owusu, Yaw Boadu and Kwabena Amoateng forever.”

On the same page, the will states:

“I jointly own a piece of land at Achimota Forest with Charles Owusu. Upon my demise, my portion of the said land should be given to Ruth Korkor Odonkor.”

That’s not all. On the same page 5 and still on the Achimota Forest, the will states:

“I give my portion of land that jointly own at the Achimota Forest in the name of DML Limited to Elizabeth Asare Boateng who at the time of making this will is domiciled in the USA forever.”

The former head of the forestry commission also stated in the will that he owned land at the Ramsar area in Sakumono in Accra.

“I give my land situate at the Ramsar area at Sakumono in the Greater Accra Region and measuring 5.07 acres to my sisters Abena Saah and her children, Comfort Amoateng and her children, Abena Konadu and Juliet Akua Arko and her children on equal share basis forever,” the will states.

Below are pages from the will of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John):

The Centre Of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services (CERSGIS) defines a Ramsar site as “a wetlands site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources.”

According to CERSGIS, the Sakumono site “is the only wetland wholly owned by the government and is meant for protecting Sakumono, Tema and their environs against floods and pollution, for the breeding of fish for the Sakumono Lagoon, as well as recreational activities.”

In June 2021, officials of CERSGIS and the Forestry Commission visited the site and observed that the site had “come under serious threat to the brink of extinction due to the heavy encroachment that had plagued the area for over three decades.”

The Forestry Commission, which Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie headed until his death, has published the Wetland Management (Ramsay Sites) Regulations 1999 that lists the Sakumono Ramsar site as part of the protected wetlands in Ghana. It prohibits a host of human activities in Ramsar sites.

Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie died on July 1, 2020, of Covid-19-related complications while receiving treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

He made his latest will on  May 21, 2020, less than two months before his death.  The will named Charles Owusu and Nana Boakye Acheampong as executors.

It contained houses, lands, Kejetia market stalls, gold production investments and money in local and foreign banks as the properties to be distributed among the named persons in the will.

Other properties to be inherited included fuel stations, 13 private vehicles and 10 fuel tankers and five pump action guns.