The will of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, also known as Sir John, the deceased former chief executive of the Forestry Commission, has surfaced and is currently going viral on social media.
The will lists a staggering number of assets, some of which are land parcels in the Achimota Forest.
In his will, he divided up the Achimota Forest lands to his family members.
I give my land located at the Achimota Forest in the name of Jakaypro Limited and measuring 5.541 acres to the following persons forever,” Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie said on page 4 of his will. His office was located at the Achimota Forest till his death.
- 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
Page 5 of the will also states that “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.”
“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,” it added.
“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 will stated.
Sir John in the will indicated that he owned land at the Ramsar area in Sakumono in Accra.
“I give my land situated 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,” he said.
The Centre for 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.”
Lands Ministry to probe will
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced that it will look into a document that claims Sir John left relatives a section of the Achimota forest lands in his will.
The Ministry said it has requested all papers pertaining to the subject land as part of an investigation to determine the validity of the claims in a statement in response to a wave of assertions made on social media.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been alerted to a document that has been circulating on social media and claims that the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the former CEO of the Forestry Commission, left portions of the Achimota Forest to family members in his will.
“The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations and has requested 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 to take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims,” it added.
Here are the Sir John’s will (Credit: The Fourth Estate)
