Conditions At Zoos To Be Upgraded

Accra, Aug 20, - Government will support efforts aimed at upgrading conditions in Accra and Kumasi zoos to enhance their potential, a deputy Minister said today. Mr Lee Ocran, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology who was inaugurating a mural at the Accra Zoo, said their enhancement is not only for tourist attraction but also as educational centres. The building of attractive zoos geared towards encouraging both foreign and local tourism will not only enhance the Ghanaian heritage and image but will provide financial support for the zoo's crucial role as conservation and environmental education centres. The mural made up of colourful pictures of various animals and fish species, was sponsored by the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), a non-governmental organisation aimed at rehabilitating and improving conditions in the zoos to meet international standards. Mr Ocran commended FONZ for its initiative and all contributors to its projects, especially KLM, the Royal Dutch Airlines, for donating an Accra-Amsterdam-Accra return ticket worth 2,000 U.S. dollars for the winner in a fund raising competition it organized in May this year. The ticket was presented by Mrs Patricia Kyeremateng, KLM Marketing Manager and it was received by Mr Ocran on behalf of FONZ. Mr Gilbert Kporku, a FONZ member, said the mural was to decorate the walls of the zoo to make them more attractive. He said the organisation, which was established in 1994 has acquired more land for the extension of the zoo, provided security lighting and built an animal clinic, a nursery and a quarantine among others. Mr Kporku said FONZ intends to restock the zoo with two elephants donated by some friends in Zimbabwe at a cost of 65 million cedis. The amout will cover the transportation of the animals and the training cost of four zoo keepers who will undergo training in Zimbabwe to keep the animals in Ghana.

Accra, Aug 20, - Government will support efforts aimed at upgrading conditions in Accra and Kumasi zoos to enhance their potential, a deputy Minister said today. Mr Lee Ocran, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology who was inaugurating a mural at the Accra Zoo, said their enhancement is not only for tourist attraction but also as educational centres. The building of attractive zoos geared towards encouraging both foreign and local tourism will not only enhance the Ghanaian heritage and image but will provide financial support for the zoo's crucial role as conservation and environmental education centres. The mural made up of colourful pictures of various animals and fish species, was sponsored by the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), a non-governmental organisation aimed at rehabilitating and improving conditions in the zoos to meet international standards. Mr Ocran commended FONZ for its initiative and all contributors to its projects, especially KLM, the Royal Dutch Airlines, for donating an Accra-Amsterdam-Accra return ticket worth 2,000 U.S. dollars for the winner in a fund raising competition it organized in May this year. The ticket was presented by Mrs Patricia Kyeremateng, KLM Marketing Manager and it was received by Mr Ocran on behalf of FONZ. Mr Gilbert Kporku, a FONZ member, said the mural was to decorate the walls of the zoo to make them more attractive. He said the organisation, which was established in 1994 has acquired more land for the extension of the zoo, provided security lighting and built an animal clinic, a nursery and a quarantine among others. Mr Kporku said FONZ intends to restock the zoo with two elephants donated by some friends in Zimbabwe at a cost of 65 million cedis. The amout will cover the transportation of the animals and the training cost of four zoo keepers who will undergo training in Zimbabwe to keep the animals in Ghana.