Friends Of The Nation call for Takoradi Monkey Hill Forest Reserve to be designated as Nature Park

Friends of the Nation, socio-environmental advocacy and a non-governmental development-oriented organization based in Adiembra, in Sekondi-Takoradi, are advocating that the Monkey Hill Forest Reserve and Butuah Wetland be designated as nature Park.

According to Mr Donkris Mevuta, the Executive Director of Friends of the Nation who spoke to Skyy News, The Monkey Hill Forest Reserve adjoining the Butuah Wetland are two ecosystems strategically positioned to serve as holding grounds for floodwater and the receptor grounds for high tides from the Gulf of Guinea, including stabilizing the climate, control atmospheric temperatures and a sink for carbon emissions generated in the metropolis and beyond.

Mr Mevuta said the Butua Wetland and the Monkey Hill are facing threats from encroachment, plastic pollution, dumping of waste along the fringes and illegal hunting.

It is, therefore, necessary for the Metropolis to initiate this Nature Park idea as a green economy agenda to provide the necessary protection and resilience on the impact of anticipated increased carbon emissions.

He indicated the importance of the project which will contribute to the socio-economic development of the city and serve as an important sanctuary where people take time out, enjoy nature, get fixed, relax and revitalise.

It will also serve as an important facility for nature-based studies.

In Socioeconomic development, the Nature Park will boost tourism in the region as it will be standardised on an international level which will attract people from all wals of life to visit, spend time with the monkeys and also a safari type hotel will be constructed as well.

The Nature Park initiative will improve security since it will be necessary and protect the forest from encroachers and illegal hunters who hunt the monkeys indiscriminately as well.

Mr Mevuta said it will take the efforts of all stakeholders to preserve these two critical ecosystems.