Australia Gov’t supports Mole National Park with Equipments

The Australian government has supported the Mole National Park with equipment to help in its fieldwork.

The Australia High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Gregory Andrews on Friday, April 9, 2021, presented the field equipment at Mole in the Savannah region. It included a high powered capacity drone, 20 GPS equipment, 30 camera traps, 2 desktop computers with rechargeable batteries, a photocopier machine, books and some personal protective equipment.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony of the machines to the park, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana said the pieces of equipment will improve the work of the park and will make it easier to get videos and pictures of the animals and also help in trapping poaching activities in the park. 

Mr Andrew added that the GPS device will also help rangers find their way anytime they get lost in the reserve before commending the staff and workers of the park for their hard work.

Receiving the items, the Manager of Mole National Park, Mr Ali Mahama expressed his satisfaction for the kind gesture done by the Australian Government through its High Commission in Ghana and asserting that its a sign of the good relationship between Ghana and Australia and also very timely especially in dealing with the poaching activities in the park.

The Executive Director of the Wildlife division of the Forestry Commission, Mr Bernard Asamoah Boateng in a short update revealed that Ghana has seven national parks, six resource reserves and two sanctuaries which are under the care of the wildlife division with the Mole national park being the premier and largest after it’s establishment in 1958 and gazetted as a national park in 1971 with a landmark size of 4,840km square.

He further informed that the park is in a process of being listed as a UNESCO Global World Heritage Site. Mr Boateng also said the park has protected its integrity through the application of donor agencies which have been successful and therefore used the opportunity to thank the high commissioner and the people of Australia for their support. He told that the park used to welcome lots of tourists yet the covid-19 pandemic has brought a reduction in number.

The Savannah Regional Minister Mr Saeed Muhazu Jibril thanked the Australian high commissioner for the support and used the opportunity to appeal for more from the donor agencies especially in the areas of housing for the rangers.

Abdul Sammed Gurundari Savannah Region