AN SOS TO BIRDING AFRICA!

Hello Callan,

When Mr. Ntim Gyakari asked my permission to allow him to take you round the P. E. Thompson Estate's (PETE) private Akim Abuakwa Juaso Nature-Resource Reserve (AAJNRR), I did not hesitate - as I was keen to see the reaction of a leading ethical overseas outbound eco- tour operator, seeing the property.

With the price of gold at stratospheric heights, the land is under intense pressure from the illegal gold miners and loggers who plague the area - there being an abundance of economic trees and the accursed metal, in that gift of Mother Nature.

It is for that reason, that we are keen that both the beneficiaries of the PETE and the local community, earn their keep from eco-tourism, if possible.

That is a far more sustainable rural economic activity, from which present and future generations of both the PETE's beneficiaries and the local community, can derive an income stream.

Perhaps you are busy writing the theses for your doctoral studies - and will write to us when that is completed?

And of course, one cannot preclude the caution that past experience teaches those involved in commerce, to exercise (when dealing with unknown quantities, so to speak!).

Whatever be the case, do spare us a teeny weeny bit if your valuable time, and do let us hear from you - as you said we would.

(Incidentally, as a journalist, I must confess that I find the secrecy surrounding much of the business world's deal-making, pretty hard to fathom. But I digress!)

As in all things in life, one must weigh the undoubted benefits from eco-tourism at some indeterminate future date, against the cost of allowing today's unpleasant reality to persist.

As we speak, wealth is daily haemorrhaging from that property, to increase other people's net worth instead of ours - as the land is ruthlessly exploited illegally by wealthy criminal syndicates.

Furthermore, when one's been long dead and gone, who is to say that circumstances won't force someone from another generation of the beneficiaries of the PETE, to decide to get official permission to exploit the gold and timber in that selfsame property, for the family's benefit?

Clearly, it is possible that such a person would feel that that was a far better option - than see it benefiting outsiders: possibly yet another set of wealthy criminals, who, like today's wealthy criminals, may also be slowly but surely destroying the land too, in any case?

That would be tragic - which is why we are so keen to find reputable overseas outbound fair-trade eco-tourism companies to partner with. Community-based eco-tourism, as a tool for conservation, we believe, is the most effective means of ensuring the preservation of the entire 14 square miles of the PETE's freehold AAJNRR.

As you yourself saw, it is a truly magnificent and spectacular place - and it is not for nothing that it forms part of an area designated a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA).

We want many others too to share the wonderful experience that all those who visit it, including your good self, have. And even if I say it myself, it has some of Africa's best hiking trails - and is a destination of choice for migrating birds and butterflies from the northern hemisphere.

So, in light of all the above, do bear with us Callan; and forgive us for intruding - if that is the case, and above all, hoping it is not an imposition to ask, do email and tell us, having seen the PETE's AANRR - what would you do with it, if that marvellous gift of nature, were yours?

It would certainly be nice to work together, on a fair-trade basis, with a reputable and ethical overseas outbound eco-tour operator like your highly recommended birdingafrica, to make community-based eco-tourism the linchpin of Akim Abuakwa Juaso's rural economy, for the benefit of all concerned.

So do get in touch as promised, Callan - for some may say that you have been rather tardy, on this occasion!:)

Best wishes,

Kofi.

PS And lest I forget - if you are of a religious nature, do have a happy Easter.