By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Ghana has identified 17 sites for future nomination into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Biosphere Reserves are specially protected areas where diverse plants and animals exist with some level of human activity to conserve biodiversity and sustainable development and also serve as referral systems for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems.
Out of the network of 727 reserves in 131countries, Ghana is currently hosting three, comprising Bia Biosphere Reserve, the largest, located in the Western Region (since 1983); Songor Ramsar Site in Greater Accra (2011) and Lake Bosomtwe Biosphere Reserve in Ashanti (2016).
The potential sites include Nzulezu Wetland; Jachie Sacred Grove; Mpirisi Sacred Groove; Boateng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary; Atiwa Forest Reserve; Shai Hills Reserve; the Kakum, Mole, Digya and Bui national parks; Gbele Resources Reserve; Tano-Ofei Range; Apedwa Hills; Kwahu Scarp; Kyaboo Transboundary Reserve, and Mount Afadzato and Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary.
This came to light at the launch of a handbook for the mainstreaming of the Biosphere Reserve concept into development planning, held on Tuesday at Sege in the Ada West District.
The 47-page manual is to make biosphere issues a normal component in the national development planning and budgeting process at all levels as the basis for sustainable financing of its activities.
It was designed by the National Committee of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with support from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC); Forestry Commission, academia, and some district assemblies.
