The destruction of so much of Akyem Abuakwa's natural heritage, is one of the most tragic stories of our time.
The recent floods there, attest to the fact that one can't abuse nature without it exacting revenge, in the end.
Those floods in parts of Akyem Abuakwa, have been blamed by many on the rampant illegal tree-felling, as well as the unauthorised and destructive surface gold mining, which is carried out there by wealthy criminal syndicates - and with such impunity too - on an almost daily basis.
Today, it is hard to believe that it is a part of our homeland Ghana, which was once one of the most well-endowed forested areas in our country. President Mills was right to express his anger at the illegal activities going on in that part of our country - in total defiance of the authorities.
And such has been the scale of the destruction of Akyem Abuakwa's natural heritage, that to save what now remains of it, immediate steps ought to be taken to bring the illegal logging and unauthorised surface gold mining to a complete and permanent halt.
The authorities must treat the situation with the urgency it demands. And as an alternative livelihood-provider (to replace the temporary jobs provided by the illegal activities of the criminal syndicates operating there), the recommendations contained in Conservation International's (CI) RAP Survey Bulletin No. 47, for the development of eco-tourism in the area, ought to be taken seriously - and implemented fully.
If that is done, it will enable the people of Akyem Abuakwa benefit from the huge potential the area has for community-based eco-tourism (CBE).
Private initiatives that partner local communities to use CBE as a tool for conservation ought to be encouraged, throughout that part of Ghana's Eastern Region.
A noteworthy example is the plan to turn the P. E. Thompson Estate's (PETE) Akyem Abuakwa Juaso Nature-Resource Reserve (AAJNRR), into a community-based eco-tourism destination.
The AAJNRR is in the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest - and forms part of a designated Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA). Indeed a GSBA pillar is actually located in it.
That planned CBE destination at Akyem Abuakwa Juaso, will have as its centrepiece, a number of eco-lodges (including tree-house eco-lodges) and a forest canopy walkway. Such projects can bring wealth to people at the grassroots-level - and can help restore the area's natural environment, in the long term: and ought to be encouraged and supported.
The promoters of the project, amongst whom are ethical green foreign investors, hope that by partnering the people of Akyem Abuakwa Juaso in the CBE, they will create a shining example of wealth creation made possible by a thriving and sustainable green local economy, which is centred on community-based eco-tourism.
Their desire is that projects of such nature will be replicated in fringe forest communities in other parts of the Atewa Range upland evergreen rain forest - which provide vital eco-system services for many urban areas in Ghana - and help protect the remainder of its spectacular natural heritage.
Tel (powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network in Ghana that actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
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