Patrick K. Ahumah

Conservation Awareness Campaign for Communities around the Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Hohoe District of Ghana

The Wli waterfall, located in the Agumatsa wildlife sanctuary in the Agumatsa Afadjato range in the Hohoe District of Ghana, is of great significance to the surrounding communities. It is said to be tallest waterfall in the whole of West Africa and is the most popular tourist attraction in the whole Volta Region.

The main source of water for the water fall is the Agumatsa river which flows through a distance of about 25km from its source in Togo before culminating into a fall over a cliff of over 100 meters high at Wli. The immediate valley and the surroundings extending up to 35km² are a designated forest reserve (wildlife sanctuary) with over 200 birds’ species, bats, over 400 species of butterflies, the endangered mona monkeys and antelopes.

The area within the sanctuary is believed to home to gods and so enjoys sacred protection, however the area does not enjoy such protection anymore due to the over dependence of the sanctuary for survival. The general lack of knowledge of the people on conservation can be said to be the main cause of this problem. However with funding from RSG, the communities have been sensitized and are enthusiastic about its importance.

Read about Patrick's previous project at Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/patrick_k_ahumah or for more information contact:

Email: patrick@carenetghana.org