Kakum
On the 22nd of February,2013, The form 3’s of Ghana International School visited Kakum National Park in the Central region of Accra, Ghana. The purpose of our trip was to experience the canopy walk, observe the environment and see what improvements could be made.
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akum National Park is a 375 square kilometres (145 sq mi) national park located in the Central Region of Ghana. The park was first established in 1960. It is located 30km north of Cape Coast and Elmina near the small village of Abrafo. The entire area is covered with tropical rainforest. In the park gamekeepers are specially trained in the medical and cultural significance of the local foliage. Kakum National Park contains rare animals, including the endangered Mona-meerkat, as well as pygmy elephants, forest buffalo, civet cats, a wide array of birds, and over 500 species of butterflies. Kakum National Park has a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level known as the "Canopy Walkway." At 40 m (130 ft) height, the visitor can approach the plants and animals from a vantage point that would otherwise be inaccessible to people. The Canopy Walkway passes over 7 bridges and runs over a length of 330 m (1,080 ft). It is secured by a series of nets and wires 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. Kakum Park can be improved in a few ways. For starters, their facilities do not reach recognized international standards of ecotourism. As I was walking on the canopy, I noticed that there were quite a few loose nails and ropes that were very thin. I also noticed that some of the planks were shifting and broken. The camp site is also not in very good condition so due to the lack of appropriate accommodation facilities, visitors are not able to stay and enjoy the natural environment as they wish. So I recommend that they increase the number of times they
K
akum National Park is a 375 square kilometres (145 sq mi) national park located in the Central Region of Ghana. The park was first established in 1960. It is located 30km north of Cape Coast and Elmina near the small village of Abrafo. The entire area is covered with tropical rainforest. In the park gamekeepers are specially trained in the medical and cultural significance of the local foliage. Kakum National Park contains rare animals, including the endangered Mona-meerkat, as well as pygmy elephants, forest buffalo, civet cats, a wide array of birds, and over 500 species of butterflies. Kakum National Park has a long series of hanging bridges at the forest canopy level known as the "Canopy Walkway." At 40 m (130 ft) height, the visitor can approach the plants and animals from a vantage point that would otherwise be inaccessible to people. The Canopy Walkway passes over 7 bridges and runs over a length of 330 m (1,080 ft). It is secured by a series of nets and wires 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. Kakum Park can be improved in a few ways. For starters, their facilities do not reach recognized international standards of ecotourism. As I was walking on the canopy, I noticed that there were quite a few loose nails and ropes that were very thin. I also noticed that some of the planks were shifting and broken. The camp site is also not in very good condition so due to the lack of appropriate accommodation facilities, visitors are not able to stay and enjoy the natural environment as they wish. So I recommend that they increase the number of times they