Aliu commissions C15bn Ankasa conservation project

Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday commissioned a 15 billion cedi-infrastructural facilities at the Ankasa conservation area in the Jomoro District with a call on Ghanaians to conserve adequate plant and animal species for future generations.

The facilities, which were funded by the European Union (EU), under the Protected Areas Development Project (PODP), include office and staff accommodation, visitors reception centre and field education centres. The project started six years ago.

Vice President Mahama said the current rate of destruction of the country's forest resources through illegal human activities such as bush fires was unprecedented.

The government, rural communities and other stakeholders, he said, therefore, had the responsibility to maintain and conserve the remaining vegetation zones and expand them, where possible, for the benefit of all.

The Vice President expressed gratitude to the EU for its assistance and said the facilities would help to boost eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation in line with the government's programme to promote and develop the economic potentials of the protected areas for tourism, wealth creation and poverty reduction.

He announced that the government had developed long- term programmes to ensure the conservation and development of the country's wild life resources to enhance the socio-economic well being of the people and urged land owners and other stakeholders to actively support the Forestry and Wildlife policy.

He said he had directed the Ministers of Lands and Forestry, Tourism and Local Government and Rural Development to collaborate and initiate programmes to encourage investments in eco-tourism.

The Vice President advised workers at the Ankasa Conservation Area to adopt a maintenance culture to ensure the durability of the facilities.

Mr Stefan Frowein, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation in Ghana, said if the country wanted to enjoy the lasting benefits of its natural resources then much efforts had to be made to protect the resources.

Private sector investors and tourism operators, he suggested, should be given the opportunity to develop facilities and run concessions in the Ankasa conservation area.

Mr Joseph B. Aidoo Western Regional Minister, commended the EU for its assistance and said the facilities would go a long way to boost eco-tourism and the conservation of natural resources.

Mr. Thomas Broni, Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry, said the Ministry would continue to formulate appropriate laws to regulate and ensure the handing over of authority over natural resources to the local people.

Awulae Annor Adjaye II, Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area, commended the government for its determination to continue the project that was initiated by the previous government.

He said the people of the traditional area were prepared to cooperate with other stakeholders to protect and preserve the Ankasa Conservation Area.