The Forestry Commission (FC) has granted Gomoa Eco Park, its authorised contractors, consultants and personnel a temporary entry permit to undertake preliminary works within designated areas of Blocks A and B of the Yenku Forest Reserve, pending the signing of an agreement between the Commission and Gomoa Eco Park Development Company Limited.
According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa Central Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) the area, the development will pave the way for road construction within the approved scope by the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment.
The preliminary works will also involve taking stock of existing plants and animals, identifying and documenting each species to support conservation efforts and visitor education.
The MP said the Ghana Geological Survey Authority would also commence work on a geological museum, where tourists would be taken through the history of the planet, including how the Earth was formed, how long humans have inhabited the area, the minerals found in Ghana and the rocks in which they occur.
He said plans were also underway to introduce local and exotic animal species, alongside efforts to protect endangered sea turtles along the coastline.
Under the initiative, landowning families whose lands were taken over for forest conservation are expected to benefit from a new revenue-sharing arrangement.
The families reportedly last received royalties in 1947 and have not received compensation since then.
Through the Gomoa Eco Park project, they are expected to benefit financially from their lands for the first time in nearly eight decades through royalty payments and a share of revenue generated from tourism.
The initiative is expected to create sustainable economic opportunities for the families and future generations.
