National parks in Ghana
In almost all parts of Ghana there are nature reserves, which differ significantly in size and direction.
Four different types of nature reserves can be identified according to their direction. On the one hand, the national parks have been designated in order to demonstrate the nature worth preserving to the largest possible audience and to interest people in its protection. The most famous national parks include the Mole National Park in the north with its classic savannah landscape, as well as the Kakum National Park , which has become famous for its location near the Cape Coast tourist center , which offers a unique attraction in Africa, suspension bridges in the treetops. Specially trained gamekeepers are employed here throughout the year in order to familiarize visitors with various plants and animals, but also their value for local nature and traditional medicine.
The primary purpose of wildlife reserves is to increase the population of native wild animal species. Bush meat, or game meat, is very popular across the country. There are definitely differences between the individual ethnic groups. In most game reserves, the stock of wild animals as meat suppliers is to be increased for the local population. Only in the Boumfoum Wildlife Reserve and Owabi Wildlife Reserve are wild animals fully protected. The animals in these parks are not allowed to be hunted.
Other protected areas (Strict Nature Reserves) have been designated to save animal species that are threatened with extinction. These protected areas can only be visited with a special permit. This permit is usually only issued for research purposes.
Forest reserves were set up expressly to save the rainforest, in which no clearing is permitted. In these forest reserves, possibilities are to be investigated and shown how sustainable forestry can be operated. The export of precious woods is a significant source of income, but so far reforestation has mainly been carried out as a monoculture . In the forest reserves, balanced vegetation should provide forestry with a broader basis. Illegal logging and smuggling are still problems. Uncontrolled logging continues to endanger the existence of the rainforest.
In addition to the national parks, there is a botanical garden in Aburi , north of Accra in the Akuakim Mountains, which was laid out in 1890 by the British colonial rulers as an agricultural research station. Tropical plants that were not originally found in Ghana also grow here.
National parks
The following national parks exist in Ghana :
- Mole National Park , established in 1971, Northern Region , 4840 km² area
- Bui National Park , established in 1971, Brong-Ahafo region , area of 1820 km²
- Digya National Park , established in 1971, Brong-Ahafo Region and Ashanti Region , 3478 km² area
- Ankasa-Nini-Suhien National Park , Western Region , 343 km² area, of which approx. 175 km² is pristine primary rainforest
- Bia Tawaya National Park , established in 1974, Western Region , area 78 km²
- Kakum National Park , established in 1991, Central Region , 207 km² area
- Kyabobo National Park , established in 1997, Volta Region , 360 km² area
Wildlife reserves
- Kogyae Reserve , Ashanti Region , 50,000 ha area
- Gbele Game Reserve , established in 1974, Upper West Region , 546.50 km² area
- Owabi Game Reserve , Ashanti Region
- Shai Game Reserve , established in 1961, Greater Accra Region , 40 km² area
- Kalakpa Game Reserve , Volta Region , 1000 km² area
- Buabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary , Brong-Ahafo region , 80 ha area
- Tafi Atome Monkey Conservation Reserve , Volta Region
- Boumfoum Game Reserve , Ashanti Region
- Bomfobiri Game Reserve , Ashanti Region
- Bobiri Game Reserve , Ashanti Region
See also
Web links
- Information from the Forestry Commission of Ghana (English)
- IUCN / PACO: Parks and reserves of Ghana: Management effectiveness assessment of protected areas . Ouagadougou 2010, ISBN 978-2-8317-1277-2 ( iucn.org [PDF]).
Individual evidence
- ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International: Aburi Botanic Gardens. Retrieved June 2, 2020 .
- ↑ protected planet: Search results for "Ghana" + "National Park". Retrieved June 2, 2020 .