Some pastors and Christian groups have protested a sharp increase in fees charged for prayer activities at the Achimota Forest, describing the new rates as excessive and likely to discourage believers from using the facility.
According to them, the fee per person has increased from GH¢1 to GH¢10, while children aged three years and above are now required to pay GH¢5 to access the forest for prayers.
The group says several attempts to engage the Forestry Commission to review the charges have so far been unsuccessful.
Speaking in an interview with Adom News, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana United Pastors Association, Prophet Samuel Asare, said the association had formally petitioned the Forestry Commission to reconsider the new fees.
However, he said the Commission explained that the increase was based on recently approved fees and charges by Parliament, leaving it with little room to make changes.
Prophet Asare expressed concern that the new charges have already begun discouraging many people from visiting the forest for prayer, a situation he believes could ultimately reduce revenue for the state.
According to him, more than 200 pastors regularly visit the Achimota Forest with members of their congregations for prayer retreats.
He noted that the Forestry Commission has designated about 120 prayer porches within the forest for religious activities and argued that maintaining the previous GH¢1 charge would have encouraged patronage instead of driving people away.
He said the association would continue to press for a review of the fees until the authorities respond to their concerns.
Meanwhile, revenue collectors at the forest told Adom News that some worshippers who had travelled long distances were unaware of the new charges.
As a result, those who were unable to pay the GH¢10 fee were allowed entry for the day but were informed that the revised charges would apply on their next visit.
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