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Summit in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, to highlight the role mountains
play in man’s life.
Committees were formed at the international, regional and national
levels to protect the eco-system of mountains and to improve the
quality of life of people living in mountainous areas through
sustainable development.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Mountains, People and
Livelihoods: Using Mountains Wisely”, was to stimulate all and sundry
on the need for sustainable management of mountains by safeguarding
socio-cultural traditions and to ensure the development of
mountainous areas.
Mrs. Nyamekye noted that mountains provide habitat and shelter, fresh
water, minerals, recreation, among other things, to both human beings
and wildlife.
She, however, regretted that mountainous sites had been threatened by
intensive cultivation along steep slopes, wrong use of machines and
technology, over-grazing and indiscriminate logging and bushfires.
These practices have resulted in the loss of habitat for wildlife,
destruction of bio-diversity, accelerated erosion, landslides and the
drying up of water bodies, thus posing serious threats to both
wildlife and human beings.
Mrs. Nyamekye said there is the need to come up with concrete
initiatives to improve conservation of mountain landscapes and called
for the strengthening and promotion of greater co-operation among
donor agencies, non-govermental organisations, mountainous
communities and the academia in protecting the mountains.
She stressed the need for adequate policy framework based on the UN
resolutions for proper conservation of mountain resources.
Professor Clement Dorm-Adzobu, Executive Director of Ghana Wildlife
Society (GWS), said the society in conjunction with the chiefs and
people of Gbledi and Fodome Ahor, is implementing the Afadjato/Agumatsa
Community Nature Conservation project in the Volta Region as part of
the efforts to prevent mountain forest from degredation.
Mr. Anatolio Ndong Mba, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
resident Representative in Ghana, said the focus on mountain
eco-systems is crucial because they cover a quarter of the earth’s
surface and supply 60 to 80 percent of the world’s fresh water.
He commended the role of national committees in mountain conservation
and said to date, 67 countries have set up or are establishing
national committees for the observance of the mountains year.
Mr. Mba said the FAO looks forward to participating in the Ecofest
2002, which is scheduled to take place from October 14 to 21.
Nana Oseadeeyo Addo Danquah III, Omanhene of Akwapem Traditional
Area, asked chiefs to champion te crusade of environmental
conservation, including the preservation of flora and fauna of the
mountains. - GNA
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