Kalakpa Resource Reserve under siege by encroachers

Ho, June 4, GNA - The huge integrated economic potential of the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Ho Municipal Area is being threatened by recalcitrant encroachers. Large parts of the 320-square-kilometer wildlife protected zone which is mainly in the Abutia Traditional Area but stretching to the borders of Adaklu and Mafi Traditional Areas is under siege. Mr George Asamoah, Park Manager, told the GNA in an interview that these encroachers have for the past 34 years battled Game and Wildlife Wardens to retain a hold in the reserve. He said the often aggressive encroachers, who live in clusters, engage in unscientific farming, charcoal burning, hunting, and cattle ranching.

As a result they destroy the otherwise lush vegetation and send animals fleeing into the less disturbed portions of the reserve. Mr Asamoah said during the dry season, the encroachers torch the bushes, creating huge fires that destroy the forest. The interview was prompted by a visit to the area on May 22 by a medical team sponsored by the Volta Division of the Ghana Medical Association's (GMA), to treat close to 600 people, under its 50th anniversary project, "Operation Recover Forgotten Territories". Mr Asamoah said government acquired the Reserve in 1975, paid part of compensation due its owners and that the place had since been under the management of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission. He explained that the arrangement was for communities living within the protected area before the acquisition to be relocated, but while some moved out others persisted and kept expanding and multiplying in droves.

Mr Asamoah said the clusters within the protected area were squatters and so could not have water systems, schools, health facilities or roads constructed to link them up. He said the Abutia side of the Reserve represented a replica of what the planners wished-for, a vast expanse of land kept largely evergreen and full of animals and birds that could be watched by both local and foreign tourists. Mr Asamoah listed animals on that side as Kobs, Green Monkeys, Bush Pigs and Bucks, Duikers, Oribis, Buffaloes, Civet Cats and different kinds of birds. He said it was taking too long to realize the dream of the planners who had expected a high tourist arrival in the area to nurture and develop ancillary businesses to give the area a good economic leverage in the Volta Region and the country. Mr Asamoah suggested that funds are sought to bait the encroachers out with some compensation packages, including, some form of housing, skills training and small capitals.