An NGO, Greenglobe Ghana has called on government to relocate residents of satellite communities in the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta Region as a measure to preserve its natural resources.
A release signed by its Executive Secretary, Samuel Deh, stated that the goal is to ensure that inhabitants of the Reserve whose livelihoods depend on its natural resources are provided with alternative source of living.
The Kalakpa Resource Reserve which was established in 1975 has boundaries transcending the Ho Municipality and Ho West, Adaklu and North Tongu Districts of the Volta Region. The Reserve is however degrading due to wanton destruction of rosewoods and other species of wood and wildlife in the forest.
This development has over the years compelled citizens of Abutia Traditional Area, which covers a large portion of the Reserve, to protest against especially the Wildlife and Forestry Commission for their inability to stop destruction in the forest.
The Executive Secretary of Greenglobe Ghana, Samuel Deh in the release said the development is partly due to successive governments’ failure to heed to the call to relocate residents of satellite communities in the reserve.
He bemoaned that the Reserve will be completely destroyed if government fails to urgently implement an action plan to resettle the residents.
Mr Dey disclosed that the population of residents in the reserve is on the increase thereby affecting the eco-system of the forest. He said activities such as farming, firewood harvesting, charcoal production and hunting of game are having devastating effects on the natural resources and wildlife in the reserve.
Mr Dey however noted that his checks indicate that over 80 per cent of the residents are willing to be relocated decently to communities outside the reserve.
Greenglobe Ghana was established in 2005 to promote afforestation and conservation of biodiversity and supports climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Story filed by By Elorm Yao Aryee.
