The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Gregory Andrews, has urged the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to protect elephant species at the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.
He said most tourists from the western world visit the Park because of the elephant species, hence the need to conserve their existence.
The High Commissioner was at the Mole National Park to present biodiversity monitoring and surveillance equipment to the Park and as well cut sod for the construction of two summer huts.
The donation, which forms part of the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program, is to equip the premier wildlife protected area to monitor its animal species as well as clamp down on poaching.
Addressing the staff and management of the Forestry Commission at Mole, His Excellency Gregory Andrews observed Africa’s elephants are declining rapidly and are now listed as endangered species.
He was, however, optimistic the equipment presented to the Mole National Park through the Direct Aid Program will equip the rangers in their monitoring and surveillance duties.
“One sad issue is the way Africa’s elephants are becoming endangered as a result of poaching activities and it is the belief of the Australian Government that these equipment will bring an end to it.”
He condemned the act of poaching and group hunting and cautioned poachers to desist from the act since they will get caught.
“They will be caught and prosecuted,” he warned.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, on behalf of the Commission, expressed gratitude to the Australian Government for the gesture.
He appealed to other donor partners to support the conservation of wildlife just like the Australian Government has done.
“I wish to propose a sister city or park to park exchange programme with the Australian Government to share ideas and build capacity.”
For his part, Savannah Region Minister Saeed Muhazu Jibril lamented over the accommodation challenge of staff of the Commission.
He appealed to the Commission to provide accommodation to ease congestion at their bungalows.
The Chief Tourism Officer at the Park, Paul Addah, could not hide his excitement over the donation.
High tech automated remote cameras, GPS devices and long range drone technology, desk top computers, a photocopier machine among others were donated to the park.
The Mole National Park is the premier wildlife protected area and the largest out of 21 protected areas in the country.
By Christopher Amoako|3news.com|Ghana
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