<p>This study investigates the ambivalent nature of forest governance and its implications for environmental resource management using the Achimota Urban Forest Reserve, which has experienced significant deforestation as a case study. Employing a qualitative approach, the research examines governance dynamics through legal instruments, administrative fiat, and stakeholder interviews. Findings reveal that contradictory policies and regulations have enabled private property development at the expense of forest conservation, despite the government’s ostensible commitment to protection. This ambivalence has contributed to the loss of substantial portions of the forest reserve. The study highlights the consequences of governance contradictions on environmental management, contributing to the growing literature on urban forest decline. By exposing the disconnect between policy rhetoric and implementation, this research provides valuable insights into the complexities of urban forest governance and the need for coherent decision-making.</p>