Coastal Wetlands (Ramsar Sites)

The Ramsar sites are the relaxation and feeding grounds for over 70 water bird species. The birds flock in larger numbers; it is simply delight to watch. The sites also serve as the breeding grounds for about three marine turtle’s species. The ramsar sites include the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, the Sakumono Ramsar Site, and the Songor Ramsar Site.

Densu Delta Ramsar Site

This Ramsar site lies just West of Accra. The Densu River which feeds the wetland is about 116 km long, and it has an area of about 2,460 km2. The construction of the Weija dam in 1978, just 8 km inland from the Atlantic sea, reduced the effective catchment area of the Densu Delta Wetland to about 60.5 km south of the dam. The eastern and northern sides of the Wetland are heavily populated. e.g. Dansoman, Kwashieman, Mallam,and Mendskrom. There are about 20 farming and fishing communities/settlements within the Ramsar site. On the average fishermen earned 524,400.00 per person in 1993. In 1994 the average daily fish catch was about 650 kg. The Densu Delta can sustain an annual fish yield of 270 tonnes, generating between 80 104 million cedis annually. This makes the lagoon an important source of livelihood for the people who depend on it. Also, it supports a salt industry which makes millions, of dollars in foreign exchange a year. The-Weija dam which supplies water to half the population of Accra receives its water from the Densu.

Digya National Park

The vegetation is predominantly Guinea savannah woodland with gallery forest along river courses. The park is home to not less than six primate species including black and white colobus; elephants; and a variety of antelopes. Manatee and clawless otter are also reported to be present.

Esen-epam forest reserve

The reserve is near the town of Asantemanso has the largest tree in West Africa, reported to be 107 metres high.

Gbele Resource and Game Reserves

These reserves are marvelous ones with variety of mammal species. The vegetation is made up of Guinea savannah, and it is located about 17km south of Tumu in the Upper West Region. It boasts of several mammal species, including the roan antelope. The Gbele Resource Reserve is worth a visit to discover the natural beauty of Ghana.

Kakum National Park

The park is an undisturbed rain forest, extending over an area of 357km square with some of the trees as high as 65 meters. The parks fauna includes over 550 butterfly species (e.g. the new Diopetes kakumiú! discovered in 1993), over 200 birds species (such as the Frazer-eagle owl, African grey, parrot, bee-eaters, hornbills, and knight-fishers), over 40 mammal species (e.g. includes different monkey species, red river hog and the threatened bongo and forest elephant species) and about 7 primates. Activities at the park includes walking tours, and canopy walkway through the forest and self guided hiking, which provides an opportunity to see the indigenous plant life of Ghana and the various fauna. Walking trails, viewing platforms and a visitor centre are established. For bird watchers, botanist and eco-tourist Kakum would be a delight place to visit. Kalakpa Resource Reserve

From Accra, Kalakpa Resource Reserve can be reached through Juapong on a branch off the main Accra to Ho road. The Ho to Abutia Kloe road through Sokode can access the reserve. The Resource Reserve with its administrative headquarters at Abtia-Kloe in the Ho district of the Volta Region has an area of about 325km². The reserve is located between the Abutia and Adaku traditional areas in the typical Guinea Savanna vegetation zone. It has a spectacular combination of forests on the hills found in the middle of the reserve and along drivers and grass on the plains of the reserve. It is one of the few places in the region where indigenous animals associated with the vegetation can still be found. Prior to the establishment of the reserve, the area use to be the sport hunting grounds for expatriates, mainly Italians, Greeks and Germans resident in Accra, Akosombo and Tema.

The reserve abounds with the following animals; Red-riverhog, Buffalo, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Kob, Oribi, Black Duiker, grey duiker and Red flanked duiker. The common monkeys found are Baboon, Patas monkey, green monkey, spot-nosed monkey with Black and White Colobus being present but rare. Other small mammals include rodents like Giant rat, Grasscutter, Crested porcupine and Pangolins. Bird fauna in the reserve is also rich (no of species). Apart from the rich wildlife diversity of the reserve, other sites of attraction, which will be useful to tourists, include, the scenic beauty of the numerous hills in the reserve (Zitoe, Koffitoe, Kadanga etc.) and the higher density and abundance of Borassus palm in the reserve. Kadanga one of the hills is believed to be the ancestral home of the people of Abutia. Accommodation for visitors and catering services are not available at the reserve headquarters but excellent services can be obtained at Woezor Hotel in Ho that is only about 20km away from the reserve. There are no roads in the reserve; therefore only foot safaris can be done. Small scale camping can be permitted at Zitoe and Agordeke camps with one’s own camping gear.

Keta Lagoon Complex Ramser Site

The Ramsar Site is 1200km2 including the eastern bank of the Volta River and the Togo boarder. The surface area of the principal lagoon and the seasonal mud flats is over 300km2. The lagoon supports the largest inland fisheries within the coastal zone of Ghana. Other principal economic activities within the site are shallot farming through irrigated agriculture, and mats, hats and fan weaving industry from reeds found along the banks of the lagoon. These products earn the natives millions of cedis in income. Some of the mats are exported to neighbouring Togo.

Kyabobo National Park

Every available evidence points to the fact that the Nkwanta district is very rich in game and wildlife. There are heads, skins and bones of animal that have been killed by hunters, especially at Kue. The heads include those of the buffalo, various types of monkeys, hyena, red-river hog and variety of birds. Consequently a national park, Kyabobo National Park, has been created near Kwanta. It is noteworthy to state that the Togolese have a national part at the other side of the Ghana-Togo ranges called Parc National de Fazao.

Mole National Park

Mole is a haven for more than 90 animal species, including elephants, buffalo, antelope, and waterbuck. In addition, the park boasts of Lions, Leopards etc and more than 300 bird species. Visitors may sometimes have the opportunity of watching leopards and lions in a resting mood after hunting. For lovers of wildlife and bird watchers a visit to Mole is a must. The parks vegetation is Guinea savannah with forests along the rivers and streams. There is a motel in the park for its visitors. Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site

Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site The Muni-Pomadze Site encompasses an area of about 90-km2 comprising the water shed of the Muni Lagoon. However, the lagoon and flood plains is only 114ha. Eleven communities/settlements within the site fall under the Awutu-Efutu-Senya and Gomoa Districts. Farming and fishing are the main vocation of the people. Each Fisherman’s earning is estimated to be more than one million in 1994. The lagoon extends about 15 km inland. Winneba is attempting to encourage the growth of beach recreation

Sakumo Ramsar Site

Sakumo lies between Accra and the Tema Township where urban development is within a few hundred meters of the eastern margin of the lagoon. The effective catchment area of Sakumo Ramsar Site is approximately 27,634ha but the water bodies including the lagoon, reservoirs and area liable to flood is 812ha. Economic activities along the lagoon are fishing, farming, industrial development and recreation. It is estimated that fishermen make about 2.2 to 4.8 million cedis annually as income. The fish yield is estimated to be about 114 tonnes with a maximum potential of 120 tonnes annually. The lagoon sustains about 20 - 150 fishermen every day. Studies done in the area since the early 1970s show the potential for fish aquaculture, but there has been no attempt to pursue this enterprise

Shai Hills Resource Reserve

The reserve is made up of granites hills- which are over 200m high; and a dry-evergreen forest along the Accra plains. The hill was home to the ancestors of the people of Shai and still contains many of their artifacts. The reserve is made up of kob, bushbuck, oribi, and 3 primate species and a wonderful bats colony in a cave. It also boasts of over 150 bird species including ground hornbills, bustards and parrots. Trails cross the hills and presents a magnificent view of the reserve.

Songor Ramsar Site

This includes the west bank of the lower Volta River estuary and the Songor lagoon. The lagoon is a shallow dosed one with a surface area of bout 115 km2. The villages within the Ramsar site are involved in coastal fishing and fish smoking for sale to other domestic markets. The lagoon is also the site of an artisanal salt industry dating back to over a century. There were about 8000 people involved in the salt trade in 1991, and the industry continues to expand. The lagoon is also convenient for tourism. Expatriates and Ghanaians go there for speed boating, recreational fishing and bird watching during week-ends and public holidays. About 200ha of the Songor lagoon is also suitable for shrimps pond development.

The Bunso Arboretum Forest Reserve

The Bunso Arboretum is a protected forest reserve, spanning 16.5 hectares. Half of this area is semi-deciduous forest while the other half is made up of indigenous trees, along with fruits, nuts and timber tree species which have been introduced to Ghana by the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of Bunso. The Arboretum is home to over 110 species of birds, some of which are very rare. The protected Arboretum offers them a peaceful place to call home. The herb garden which is located in the Arboretum contains 100 different species of herbs with a wide range of uses, from food to medicinal to aromatic. Visitors can stroll through the many kilometres of nature trails in the arboretum. Guests can identify the local trees and plants along the way and learn about all the local uses for diverse tree and plant life in the arboretum. Trees and plants play a very big role in life in Ghana, both for food and medicinal purposes. Come see all the arboretum has to offer and learn why it is so important to conserve this precious resource.

The Great Boabab Tree (Adansonia Digitata)

This peculiar baobab tree is another attraction in the Dodowa Forest. It served a very interesting purpose during the war. The Shai warriors were said to have fired their last bullets into this tree to declare the Kantamanso War over on 26th August, 1826. it was alleged that bullets used consisted of beads, beans, millet rice, salt, black potions and talismans on locally prepared gunpowder/ the big tree displays the “bumps” or “hunches” as “wounds” caused by the bullets till this day. i.e. 177 years ago. This giant baobab is situated just north of the entrance to the great Dodowa Forest.