Accra, Feb. 08, GNA – The Dr Kofi Abban Foundation has donated equipment to the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission for the Mole National Park.
The equipment, worth over GHS200,000, include a 4×4 Safari Land Rover Defender, 10 helmets, 10 pairs of safety Boots, three boxes of respirators, communication gadgets and two rechargeable flashlights.
During the presentation ceremony at the Forestry Commission Office in Accra, Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, a Ghanaian Oil and Gas entrepreneur, said the equipment enhance the operations of the Mole National Park as management traversed its vast land coverage, about 4,570-kilometre sq.
”It is a pleasure to make this donation to the Forestry Commission. I was informed about the challenges that faced the Mole National Park as a wildlife enthusiast, so, I deem it vital to support the Park to further enhance its smooth operations.
“I hope this donation would build a close relationship with the Forestry Commission and support them in most of the activities to ensure the promotion of Ecotourism in Ghana,” Dr. Abban said.
Mr John Allotey, Chief Executive Officer, Forestry Commission, who received the equipment on behalf of the Wildlife Division, expressed his gratitude to Dr. Abban for his kind gesture, adding that the items would boost operations of the park.
Mr Allotey noted that the Mole National Park had some logistical challenges and was grateful to the foundation for donating the items.
He indicated that the Mole National Park had huge potential to generate more revenue for the state, especially in the area of eco-tourism and that the country needed massive investment to help boost the tourism sector.
Mr. Allotey said despite the Government’s support to the Forestry Commission, he would encourage corporate institutions to support their cause of safeguarding the environment.
Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, a member of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana and CEO of Kaya Tours, said during a visit to the park, he noticed that the guards had insufficient transportation and communications gadgets, which made their operations difficult.
As a result, he solicited the support from corporate Ghana and individuals, to enable the managers of the park to effectively undertake their duties.
Mr. Aggrey, who was adjudged the 2020 Tourism Oriented Media Personality, therefore, commended Dr. Abban for his gesture and urged other corporate bodies and individuals to help develop the various parks to boost tourism in the country.
Mrs Alisa Asamoah, President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana, said the initiative by the Dr. Abban Foundation was in line with their objective of domestic tourism.
She said her outfit had over the.past months visited some tour sites to identify their various challenges, and help find solutions.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Mr. Jones Nelson, Corporate Affairs Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, who outlined various measures taken by the Authority to help boost local tourism.
GNA