Gold Fields enhances Shai Hills Resource Reserve

Gold Fields Ghana Limited has invested over US$400,000 into development of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve in the Dangme West district of the Greater Accra Region, to open up the reserve for more tourists and increase revenue generation to promote its conservation activities. 
 

The investment includes construction of three luxury-tent camp accommodation facility, itscontents, and construction of roads as well as water and power provision.

Dr. Gwendolyn Wellmann, Director-Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) Ghana, made this known to B&FT during a media tour of the camp.  

She said development of the reserve when completed is expected to serve purposes including cultural and environmental conservation, game-viewing, an educational hub, family outings, corporate and private getaways, and conferencing.

The Forestry Commission is currently seeking a private partner to develop the 51-kilometre reserve through the rehabilitation of its 33 kilometre perimeter fence, provision of dug-outs, and expansion of three luxury-tent camp accommodation facility.

It will also involve the reintroduction of different species of wildlife and developing innovative eco-tourism products to provide rare and desired experiences for the increasing number of visitors to the reserve.

Chief Executive of the Commission, Mr. Samuel Afari Dartey, said the Shai Hills have the potential to be much better than Mole Park when developed, and bemoaned the over-concentration of the country on timber for export over the years, which he stated is fast-depleting the forests. 

He warned of dire consequences, especially access to water, if the Atiwa Range -- which is the source of three rivers including the Densu -- is not saved from the increasing rate of depletion.

The LCA is an African-based initiative initiated in August 2006 by the South African National Parks (SANParks), Gold Fields Limited and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to restore and develop land under conservation to the benefit of the environment, local communities and the host government in the mitigation of climate change. The LCA council also looks at funding options for conservation projects in Africa.

Its target is to project and develop 20 million hectares of conservation land in Africa by 2020. While mining companies are widely perceived to be environmentally destructive, Mr. Chris Murai-Chief Executive of LCA, said Goldfields has a footprint of being responsible and a believer in community engagement to promote sustainable conservation.

He explained that feasibility studies done at the reserve showed it has huge potential, not just for tourism but also as a top heritage site.

The reserve is 51sq kms in size, and plays host to a number of culturally significant sites as well as a variety of fauna and flora. It is however plagued by lack of funding, lack of infrastructure, lack of skills; animal poaching, and a range of typical developing country problems.

Mr. Alfred Baku, the Senior Vice-President and Head of the West Africa Region of Goldfields, urged the Forestry Commission to ensure good maintenance of the tent.