Kakum National Park, located in the coastal environs of the Central Region of Ghana, covers an area of . Established in 1931 as a reserve, it was gazetted as a national park only in 1992 after an initial survey of avifauna was conducted. The area is covered with tropical forest. The uniqueness of this park lies in the fact that it was established at the initiative of the local people and not by the State Department of wildlife who are responsible for wildlife preservation in Ghana. It is one of only 3 locations in Africa with a canopy walkway, which is long and connects seven tree tops which provides access to the forest.

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 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 is listed under the tentative List of World Heritage Sites.

History

In 1931, the area drained by the headwater catchment of the Kakum River was declared a forest reserve and managed by the Forestry Division.[https://www.cometowestafrica.com/destinations/travel-news-and-events/kakum-national-park-ghana-2] 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 was transferred to the Wildlife Department. 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 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. and Elmina near 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 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.

  • Ceiba pentandra
  • Xylopia spp.
  • Uapaca guineensis

;Boval vegetation

  • Sansevieria liberica
  • Commelina spp
  • Hildegardia barteri (red flowers bloom during Christmas)
  • Euphorbia grandifolia
  • Sterculia tragacantha
  • Ceiba pathandra
  • Albizia ferruginea
  • Ricinodendron heudelotii

Fauna

The park contains rare animals, including forest elephants, forest buffalo, civet and cats. 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 the park. in the park include the ursine colobus (CR), olive colobus (VU) and Roloway monkey (CR). 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. with 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 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 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.

Threats and conservation

The threats faced in the park which are being addressed relate to poaching; visible proof has been recorded in the form of "camps, empty matchboxes, pieces of rubber tyres, used carbide, gunshots and cartridges" are specially trained in the medical and cultural significance of the local foliage.

Tourism

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.

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<gallery mode=slideshow>

File:KAKUM NATIONAL PARK 16.jpg|Trees

File:Kakum National Park 2025.jpg|Jungle from above

File:Canopy walkway at Kakum National Park 3.jpg|The canopy walkway

File:Canopy walkway at Kakum National Park 2025.jpg|The canopy walkway

File:Childrens Park at Kakum National Park.jpg|Playground for kids

File:Kakum 2167.jpg|Canopy walkway

File:Kakum National Park entrance.jpg|Entrance

File:Kakum National Park caution 03.jpg|Sign post

File:Safety tips of the Kakum National Park.jpg|Safety tips

</gallery>

See also

  • Kakumdo
  • Kakum River</div>

References

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 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

  • Kakum National Park Official Website
  • Travel information from Conservation International
  • Photo Gallery of Kakum National Forest's Canopy Walk