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51-496: The most notable endangered species of fauna in the park are Diana monkey , giant bongo antelope , yellow-backed duiker and African elephant . It is also an Important Bird Area recognized by the Bird Life International with the bird area fully overlapping the park area. The bird inventory confirmed 266 species in the park, including eight species of global conservation concern. One of these species of concern

102-482: A collaborative and consultative process involving a consulting biologist, forestry officials, wildlife officials, local communities, Ghanaian universities, regional government officials, and other key stakeholders (Dudley 1992). It must be recognized that one, Mr. Ebenezer Kwasi Agbley, the then Central Regional Manager for Ghana Tourist Board gave birth to this dream under a program he initiated and implemented - Tourism Development Scheme for Central Region (TODSCER) which

153-454: A length of 330 m (1,080 ft). Some of the tree canopies are more than 50 metres (160 ft) in height. Built with wire rope, aluminium ladders, wooden planks, it is secured by a series of netting for safety purposes. An additional viewing platform that will allow visitors to climb into the canopy without braving the canopy walkway is currently under construction. The Canopy Walkway was built by two Canadian engineers from Vancouver with

204-480: A long series of hanging bridges known as the Kakum Canopy Walkway at the forest canopy level to provide access to the forest, which is a unique feature in the entire African continent. At 40 m (130 ft) height, the visitor can approach the limits and view plants and animals from a vantage point that would otherwise be inaccessible to people. The canopy walkway passes over 7 bridges and runs over

255-406: A natural monument or feature by IUCN's guidelines, the protected area could include natural geological or geomorphological features, culturally-influenced natural features, natural cultural sites, or cultural sites with associated ecology. The classification then falls into two subcategories: those in which the biodiversity is uniquely related to the conditions of the natural feature and those in which

306-515: A proportion of the land mass remain in its natural condition—a decision to be made on a national level, usually with specificity to each protected area. Governance has to be developed to adapt the diverse—and possibly growing—range of interests that arise from the production of sustainable natural resources. Category VI may be particularly suitable to vast areas that already have a low level of human occupation or in which local communities and their traditional practices have had little permanent impact on

357-766: A rainforest fragment: preliminary findings from a wildlife conservation project in southern Ghana. African Journal of Ecology 30: 116–126. Dudley, J.P. (1992) Community Involvement in Kakum and Assin-Attandanso Forest Reserves, Ghana. In The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests, Vol. II: AFRICA (J.A. Sayer, C.S. Harcourt, and N.M. Collins, eds.). World Conservation Monitoring Center, Cambridge U.K. Dudley, J.P. (1990) Kakum and Assin-Attandanso Wildlife Reserves Project: UNDP – Central Region Development Project. International Science and Technology Institute, Washington, D.C. Prince Edem Kumanya (2017) Site Manager of Kakum Diana monkey The Diana monkey ( Cercopithecus diana )

408-866: A single male with a number of reproducing females and their infants. In good conditions, adult females reproduce annually. Gestation lasts about 5 months, and the young nurse for a further 6 months. Normally, only a single infant is born. Although the young are born in a fairly well-developed condition, with open eyes and able to grasp their mothers, at least in zoo conditions, Diana monkey mothers appear anxious and possessive, rarely letting young infants leave them. As infants grow, however, they become very playful. Juveniles reach sexual maturity at an age of about 3 years. Daughters remain in their mothers' social groups, while males leave their natal groups shortly before attaining sexual maturity. Like most primates, Diana monkeys can carry diseases that can be communicated to humans, like yellow fever and tuberculosis . Native tribes in

459-433: A strategy being used toward the conservation of the world's natural environment and biodiversity. The IUCN has developed the protected area management categories system to define, record and classify the wide variety of specific aims and concerns when categorising protected areas and their objectives. Further supplementary guidelines have been developed specific to marine protected areas (MPAs). This categorisation method

510-450: Is a comparatively smaller area that is specifically allocated to protect a natural monument and its surrounding habitats . These monuments can be natural in the fullest sense or include elements that have been influenced or introduced by humans. The latter should hold biodiversity associations or could otherwise be classified as a historical or spiritual site, though this distinction can be quite difficult to ascertain. To be categorised as

561-429: Is active during the day, and feeds at all levels of the canopy, rarely venturing down to the ground for fear of predation. Diana monkeys retreat to the upper levels of the trees at night, though they do not make nests, preferring to sleep on branches. They feed mainly on fruit, blossoms and leaves, as well as occasional insects and invertebrates. The monkeys, in turn, are hunted and preyed upon by various animals, including

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612-570: Is administered by the Wildlife Department of Ghana. Under the direction of Conservation International and with funding support from USAID, Kakum is considered the best protected forest in Ghana. As a result, it is now a major tourist spot. Though poaching is still prevalent, the management practice of involving local communities to share the benefits of the park would yield positive results. In the park, gamekeepers are specially trained in

663-571: Is an Old World monkey found in the high canopy forests in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and western Côte d’Ivoire Named for its white brow which is said to resemble the bow of the Roman goddess Diana , this black-grey guenon has a white throat, crescent-shaped browband, ruff and beard. Two taxa formerly considered subspecies of the Diana monkey have recently been elevated to full species status:

714-506: Is limited to a minimum, often allowing only those who are willing to travel of their own devices (by foot, by ski, or by boat), but this offers a unique opportunity to experience wilderness that has not been interfered with. Wilderness areas can be classified as such only if they are devoid of modern infrastructure, though they allow human activity to the level of sustaining indigenous groups and their cultural and spiritual values within their wilderness-based lifestyles. A IUCN Category II area

765-535: Is listed under the tentative List of World Heritage Sites. In 1931, the area drained by the headwater catchment of the Kakum River was declared a forest reserve and managed by the Forestry Division. [1] During this period, logging operations were prevalent, particularly of the mahogany ( Khaya ivorensis ) tree species. The logging operations continued till 1989 when the management of the reserve

816-532: Is one of the more flexible classifications of protected areas. As a result, protected landscapes and seascapes may be able to accommodate contemporary developments, such as ecotourism , at the same time as maintaining the historical management practices that may procure the sustainability of agrobiodiversity and aquatic biodiversity. Though human involvement is a large factor in the management of these protected areas , developments are not intended to allow for widescale industrial production. The IUCN recommends that

867-683: Is part of the Guineo-Congolian region under IUCN Category II . The reserve which borders this park is the Assin-Attandanso Game Production Reserve (game production reserve). Its habitat consists mainly of moist evergreen forest and also seasonal dry semi-deciduous forest . The habitat is formed of 90% forest area, 36% artificial terrestrial landscape while the remaining area has not been categorised. The park area receives an annual average rainfall of 1380 mm. The dominant vegetation type in Kakum

918-406: Is prohibited. Because these areas are so strictly protected, they provide ideal pristine environments that enable measurement of external human influence by means of comparison with other areas. In some cases, strict nature reserves are of spiritual significance for surrounding communities and are also protected for this reason. The people engaged in the practice of their faith within the region have

969-625: Is recognised on a global scale by national governments and international bodies such as the United Nations and the Convention on Biological Diversity . A strict nature reserve (IUCN Category Ia) is an area which is protected from all but light human use in order to protect its biodiversity and also possibly its geological/geomorphical features. These areas are often home to dense native ecosystems where all human disturbance except scientific study, environmental monitoring and education

1020-461: Is similar to a strict nature reserve, but generally larger and protected in a slightly less stringent manner. These areas are a protected domain in which biodiversity and ecosystem processes (including evolution) are allowed to flourish or experience restoration if previously disturbed by human activity. These are areas which may buffer against the effects of climate change and protect threatened species and ecological communities. Human visitation

1071-452: Is similar to a wilderness area in its size and its main objective of protecting functioning ecosystems. However, category II areas tend to be more lenient with human visitation and its supporting infrastructure. Category II areas are managed in a way that may contribute to local economies through promoting educational and recreational tourism on a scale that will not reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Despite "national park" being

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1122-529: Is the white-breasted guineafowl . Nine species of hornbill and the grey parrot have been recorded. And it also has more than 600 butterflies as well, and a new species was discovered in 1993. As of 2012, the densest population of forest elephants in Ghana is located in Kakum. The Museums and Monuments Board of the Republic of Ghana has proposed that UNESCO declare the park a natural World Heritage Site under criteria vii and x. The submission made in 2000

1173-464: Is the wet forest. Other vegetation types encountered in the park include swamp forests (permanent and periodic) and riverine forests. Also reported are the Boval vegetation of Hildegardia barteri - Polycarpaea tenuifolia community found in exposed granite rocks and in shallow soils. 105 species of vascular plants consisting of 57 trees, 10 shrubs, 9 climbers, 17 herbs and 12 grasses are reported from

1224-819: The Roloway monkey ( C. roloway ) is found in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana , and the Dryas monkey ( C. dryas ) found in the DR Congo . This species can be found in West Africa , from Sierra Leone to Côte d'Ivoire . The Diana monkey is found in the primary forests, and does not thrive in secondary forests. The species is regarded as endangered by the IUCN as well as by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ,

1275-518: The crowned hawk-eagle , the African leopard , the common chimpanzee , and humans. The Diana monkey is a noisy presence in the forest. Its marked coloration allows a wide range of visual social signals. Female Diana monkeys produce specific alarm calls, alert calls and greeting/contact calls, depending on the occasion; in moments of predatory threat, they utilise distinct calls based on the specific predator in question, with some research suggesting that

1326-719: The Feasibility Study and Preliminary 5-year Management Plan for the development of Kakum National Park as an ecotourism destination under a project conducted for the United Nations Development Program (Dudley 1990). The Park can now boast of a Tree House which sits about 20metres from the forest floor in the trees in the Secondary Forest. This facility which houses close to 25 people provides an adventurous opportunity for campers to especially at night experience forest life. Due to

1377-673: The Near Threatened category are: green-tailed bristlebill , red-fronted antpecker , rufous-winged illadopsis , and copper-tailed glossy-starling . The Vulnerable species identified are white-breasted guineafowl , brown-cheeked hornbill , yellow-casqued hornbill and yellow-bearded greenbul . A particular feature is the Komfo Boateng's Shrine, a circular rock near Aboabo , of approximately 100 metres (330 ft) diameter with Bovine flora of Ceiba pathandra , Albizia furruginea and Ricinodendron heudelotii . The park has

1428-854: The Park. In 1992, the Wildlife Department gazetted Kakum to be a park under the Wildlife Reserves Regulations (Ll 1525) as the Kakum Conservation Area including the Assin Attandanso Forest Reserve . After a survey of the faunal richness of the conservation area, it was split into the Kakum National Park and the Assin Attandanso Forest Reserve during the same year. The split was justified with

1479-421: The area, contributing to the area's sustainable management and engaging with its natural and cultural heritage. Landscapes and seascapes that fall into this category should represent an integral balance between people and nature and can sustain activities such as traditional agricultural and forestry systems on conditions that ensure the continued protection or ecological restoration of the area. Category V

1530-481: The argument that Cape Coast and 33 other towns and villages continue to need timber from the forest and potable water provided by the Kakum River. The Kakum River originates within the park, and hence the park is named after the river. Its tributaries which flow through the park are Obuo, Kakum, Afia, Sukuma, Nemimi, Aboabo and Ajuesu. It is located 33 kilometres (21 mi) north of Cape Coast and Elmina near

1581-502: The assistance of five (5) Ghanaians - the latter (staff of Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust- managers of the Kakum National Park Visitor Centre)have been maintaining the facility ever since. The original concept for establishment of a canopy walkway at this location was the inspiration of Joseph Dudley, a conservation biologist recruited by Conservation International who coordinated the drafting of

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1632-483: The browband gave the species its common name, since it was held to resemble the crescent on the brow of the goddess Diana . The monkeys' underarms are also white, and they have a white stripe down their thighs, while the backs of their thighs, and their lower backs, are a chestnut colour. Apart from the browband, ruff and beard, and some fringes on their limbs, their fur is rough and tough. Individual, healthy Diana monkeys may live for up to 20 years. This species of monkey

1683-420: The chief dangers to them being habitat destruction (they are now virtually confined to coastal areas) and hunting for bushmeat. The Diana monkey ranges from 40 to 55 cm in length, excluding its tail, which is of a uniform 3–4 cm diameter and 50–75 cm long. Adults weigh between 4–7  kg . They are generally black or dark grey, but have a white throat, crescent-shaped browband, ruff and beard;

1734-429: The common name of category II, not all protected areas titled "national park" fit the criteria for category II. The surrounding areas of a category II site may be for consumptive or non-consumptive use but should nevertheless act as a barrier for the defence of the protected area's native species and communities to enable them to sustain themselves in the long term. A natural monument or feature (IUCN Category III)

1785-467: The current levels of biodiversity are dependent on the presence of the sacred sites that have created an essentially modified ecosystem. Natural monuments or features often play a smaller but key ecological role in the operations of broader conservation objectives. They have a high cultural or spiritual value that can be utilised to gain support of conservation challenges by allowing higher visitation or recreational rights, therefore offering an incentive for

1836-468: The form of "camps, empty matchboxes, pieces of rubber tyres, used carbide, gunshots and cartridges"), hunting, land encroachments and chainsaw operation. Human-wildlife conflicts around the park are due to park elephants damaging the agricultural crops of the farmers. To prevent raids by elephants during the cropping season on the agricultural fields, farmers have adopted the practice of building pepper fences around their lands to protect their farms. The park

1887-706: The ground and the Hanuman langur in the trees above them; the two species are seemingly inseparable, living in near-symbiosis as the forest’s carnivore "warning-system". The deer make shrill barks and calls if they spot a tiger , leopard , dhole , or wolf ; the monkeys (likewise) scream and alert the deer of any potential threat and, in turn, their commotion alerts every animal within the area. Diana Monkeys communicate both to local group members and distant competitors with different kind of alarm sounds. Diana Monkeys produce loud noises to make other monkeys aware of leopards or other competitors in their area. Groups consist of

1938-421: The maintenance, conservation, and restoration of particular species and habitats—possibly through traditional means—and public education of such areas is widely encouraged as part of the management objectives. Habitat or species management areas may exist as a fraction of a wider ecosystem or protected area and may require varying levels of active protection. Management measures may include (but are not limited to)

1989-821: The medical and cultural significance of the local foliage. Kakum is Ghana's first protected area which has received major support for visitor facilities. The visitor centre opened on Earth Day 1997 and the park received the Global Tourism for Tomorrow Award the following year. Tourism numbers have increased over the years: 2,000 in 1992; 27,000 in 1996; over 70,000 tourists in 1999; and it attracted 135,870 visitors during 2009. Dudley, J.P. (1995) Forest elephant conservation in West African rainforest fragments. Nature et Faune 11(2): 8-21. United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, Accra. Dudley, J.P., A.Y. Mensah-Ntiamoah, and D.G. Kpelle. (1992) Forest elephants in

2040-511: The park. Primates in the park include the ursine colobus (VU), olive colobus (LR/nt) and Roloway monkey (CR). The initial Feasibility Study for the establishment of Kakum National Park included a preliminary biodiversity survey of the fauna of the Kakum Forest Reserve and adjoining Assin-Attandanso Forest Reserve, and a survey of the area's resident African forest elephant population. The elephant population size in 1990

2091-1153: The park. Epiphytic plants are also reported to grow on the trees and shrubs are orchids and ferns and also figs. Logging operations were prevalent in the park between 1975 and 1989. It is, however, noted that the logged areas have regenerated secondary forest consisting of a thick green mantle and vine tangles. This does not extend over the entire park, as much of the dense forest still remains conserved. Specifically IUCN identified list of flora are listed below under subheadings of Moist forests, Swamp forest, Periodic swamp forest, Riverine forest and Boval vegetation. The park contains rare animals, including forest elephants , forest buffalo , civet and cats . Two hundred forest elephants , potto , Demidoff's galago African civet , two-spotted palm civet , leopard , bongo , many species of duikers (small antelopes ), red river hog , giant forest hog , long-tailed pangolin , white-belied pangolin , giant pangolin , many species of forest squirrels , North African crested porcupine , dwarf crocodile , monitor lizards, Home's hinged tortoise , serrated tortoise and many other fauna are reported from

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2142-426: The preservation of the site. A habitat or species management area (IUCN Category IV) is similar to a natural monument or feature, but focuses on more specific areas of conservation (though size is not necessarily a distinguishing feature), like an identifiable species or habitat that requires continuous protection rather than that of a natural feature. These protected areas will be sufficiently controlled to ensure

2193-577: The prevention of poaching , creation of artificial habitats, halting natural succession, and supplementary feeding practices. A protected landscape or protected seascape (IUCN Category V) covers a body of land or ocean with an explicit natural conservation plan, but usually also accommodates a range of for-profit activities. The main objective is to safeguard regions that have built up a distinct and valuable ecological, biological, cultural, or scenic character. In contrast with previous categories, Category V permits surrounding communities to interact more with

2244-464: The right to continue to do so, providing it aligns with the area's conservation and management objectives. Human impacts on strict nature reserves are increasingly difficult to prevent because climate and air pollution and newly emerging diseases do not stop at the boundaries of protected areas. If perpetual intervention is required to maintain these strict guidelines, the area will often fall into category IV or V. A wilderness area (IUCN Category Ib)

2295-420: The small village of Abrafo . It is easily accessible by taxis from the town center, and through organized tour buses. The park's welcome center contains a restaurant, lodge, picnic area, camping area, and a wildlife education center. The park is surrounded by 33 villages and also agricultural lands where food crops and coco are grown. The park lies within an elevation range of 135–250 metres (443–820 ft). It

2346-549: The thickness of the rainforest, a number of the fauna (genets, leopards, etc.) are active in the night searching for prey to feed on. The Tree House thus provide a close proximity to the wildlife of Kakum. A trained Tour Guide is always on hand to take campers on the night hikes as well as sharing Folklore of the Kakum Forest by a bonfire. It is an intriguing adventure. The threats faced in the park which are being addressed relate to poaching ; visible proof has been recorded in

2397-470: The tropical forest of West Africa poach Diana monkeys, which are sold as luxury meat and seen as a commodity. IUCN Category II IUCN protected area categories , or IUCN protected area management categories , are categories used to classify protected areas in a system developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The enlisting of such areas is part of

2448-473: The vocabulary of the females’ vocalisations is larger and more variable than that of the males. Other forest residents, such as the yellow-casqued hornbill (in addition to other birds) and other primates, are able to discriminate between these and use them to take appropriate action, should a mutual threat be present in the immediate area. A similar system is observed in India with the axis deer (or chital) on

2499-531: Was estimated on the basis of spoor data to be 100-150 individuals (Dudley, Mensah-Ntiamoah, & Kpelle 1992). Bird Life International has included the park in its list of Important Bird Areas in Ghana in 2002 under the criteria A1, A2, A3. The species recorded are 266 and the species, though identified but yet to be confirmed, are 56. All are resident and most of them are under the Least Concern categorisation. The globally threatened species listed under

2550-510: Was expanded and became CENTRAL REGION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM under a later created Commission - Central Region Development Commission (CECECOM). He showcased the TODSCER program in America and drew a number of sponsoring institutions both bilateral and multi-lateral from the donor community for the project to its maturity. The project later brought on board Game & Wildlife to manage and maintain

2601-629: Was transferred to the Wildlife Department. A Feasibility Study and Preliminary 5-year Management Plan for the development of Kakum National Park as an ecotourism destination were developed in 1990 under a project conducted for the United Nations Development Program (Dudley 1990). The Feasibility Study included preliminary biodiversity assessments of the flora and fauna of Kakum Forest Reserve and adjoining Assin-Attandanso Forest Reserve, and an elephant population survey (Dudley 1990; Dudley, Mensah-Ntiamoah,& Kpelle 1992; Dudley 1995). The Feasibility Study and Preliminary 5-year Management Plan were developed in

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