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| One of such national parks in Nairobi |
FORESTS play a crucial role in preserving water systems, preventing soil erosion and providing a habitat for wildlife.
Thus, forest preservation in Kenya, according to reports, have helped to make tourism one of the country’s biggest earners, with some $65 million in benefits from reserves alone in 2010.
Research by the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), estimates the economic benefit of the forest to be more than $1.3 billion per year.
Aware of the enormous potentials of its reserves and its attractive nature, the Kenyan government had over the years committed resources into its development.
Presently, the tourism industry in Kenya is said to be the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue with 19 national parks and game reserves spearheading revenue generation processes.
For instance, a visit to the Nairobi Safari Park attracts a $20 entry fee for adult tourists, while children below 16 years are charged $10 each with a daily visitor population standing at about 127-130 on average and 300 -500 during peak periods.
Unlike Ghana, where illegal logging of wood for fuel energy remain dominant regardless of regulations restricting such practices, the East African country has in place stringent regulations that stipulates terms of imprisonment for offenders.
According to a Ghanaian resident in Nairobi, Mr John Tampalene, the people of Kenya worship trees, and that has hugely contributed to the serene climate conditions in the country.
Ghana’s Forestry Commission (FC), which is responsible for the regulation of utilisation of forest and wildlife resources, have persistently failed in its approach to reserve conservation.
The lack of political will on the part of policy makers and disregard for regulations by the general society have led to the devastating effects of climate change, particularly on agriculture in the country.
Thus, in spite of the vast natural resources at our disposal, Ghana has now become a major importer of food and meat products from Europe and Asia.
Not only had the country’s agricultural output fallen drastically, farmers also face challenges of less incentives to produce due to the general deterioration of the sector.
While Ghana is said to have seven national parks and reserves, according to information, little has been heard of their existence.
These are the Mole National Park, Kyabobo National Park, Kakum National Park & Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve, Digya National Park, Bui National Park, Bia National Park & Resource reserve / biosphere reserve.
With Kakum and Mole National being the most visible, little had been done to promote the potential of the others, which hitherto could have improved domestic tourism revenue for the development needs of the communities in which they are located.
In spite of Kenya’s disputed presidential election in 2007 and its aftermath that plummeted tourism revenues from 54 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, the country won the best leisure destination award at the World Travel Fair in Shanghai, China, in April 2008.
That recognition has since seen a marginal increase by enhancing the country’s profile as a leading tourist destination in East Africa and beyond.
The feat could equally be chalked by Ghana, if managers and stakeholder bodies utilise available opportunities to scale up the sector’s marketability.
Ultimately, the work of conservation cannot succeed without the participation of various stakeholders.
Therefore, the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Tourism and all other bodies ought to work closely with local communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant government bodies to ensure not just the planting of new forests, but protection and promotion of existing facilities.
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