Achimota forest reserve to be turned into Eco-park

Parts of the Forest Reserve at Achimota in the Greater Accra Region will soon be turned into an Eco-Park facility for tourist attraction.

Government has given the assurance that the establishment of the eco- tourism park will create about 4000 jobs during the construction and more than 2, 000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs during the operational phase.

Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Alfred Sugri Tia said the project would put Ghana on the global market in terms of Eco-tourism. “Apart from making the city of Accra a world class recreational area, the project would create numerous benefits and have a multiplier effect in job creation,” he said. Sugri Tia noted that the park will create a lot of jobs during the construction phase and after completion.

“This will include draughtsman, plumbers, civil engineers…and many others who will receive more than $200 million in income over a ten year period. During the operational phase, more than 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs will be created. This will include tour guides, caters, drivers, accountants, mangers, ecologists…and numerous business opportunities. Through this project the forestry commission is expected to receive about 20%  of the revenue generated.”

“In addition over about ten year period government will receive revenue amounting to about $186 million as corporate tax and about $18 million in social security payment. For the private sector numerous business opportunities will be created thus enhancing the contribution of the forestry sector to national development,” he added.

source:citifmonline