Shai Hills Resource Reserve is a resource reserve located in Doryumu in the Shai Osudoku District all in the Greater Accra Region of southern Ghana. It lies along the Tema-Akosombo Highway some 57 km from Accra.
| Shai Hills Resource Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources) | |
 Sign post of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve | |
  Location in Ghana | |
| Location | Doryumu, Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
| Nearest city | Accra[1] |
| Coordinates | 5°54′34″N 0°03′55″E / 5.9094°N 0.0653°E |
| Area | 51 km2 (5,100 ha; 20 sq mi) |
| Established | 1962[2] |
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History
editThe protected area was home to the Shai people before they were ejected by the British in 1892. Remains of Shai people's works can still be found in the reserve.[1]
The reserve was established in 1962 with area of 47 km2 (18 sq mi) which was later extended to 51 km2 (20 sq mi) in 1973.[2][3][4][5][6] It was made a Game Production Reserve in 1971.[2]
Environment
editThe Shai Hills Resource Reserve is covered with grassland and low dry forest vegetation. There are nearly 400 plant species spread on the five separate hills at the Shai Hills Resource Reserve.
Wildlife
editThere are numerous animals. Bird species include violet turaco, paradise flycatcher, green turaco, red-billed hornbill, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, guineafowl and red-necked buzzard.The reserve has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of many bird species.[7]
Othe animals present include antelopes, bats, baboons, cats, duiker, kobs, green monkeys, monitor lizards, African python, royal python and zebras.[8] Zebras are not native to Ghana, and the ones in the reserve are imports from South Africa. Guides employed at the reserve reported (in September 2024) that five zebras had been born to date in the park, and some of those now live in Ghanaian zoos.[9][10]
Access
editVisitors can visit the attractive region of hilly rocks and grassy plains in the reserve all year round. Touring the reserve during the early rainy season (May through July) could be difficult because of rough road conditions. Popular activities include game viewing, bird watching, nature walking, and rock-climbing.[11][12]
Threats
editThe reserve is bedeviled with a lot of threats such as danger from speeding vehicles because some of the baboons find their way to the highway. The reserve is also situated close to a stone quarry and this also affects the day-to-day activities of the park.[13]
Recreation
editThe area is of the best tourism hubs in Ghana. It has been a host to recreational activities such as Picnics, and in 2017 hosted the National Biking & Abseil Festival.[14][15]
Events
editEvents held at Shai Hills resource reserve has been home to these events:
| S/N | Name | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WildaLand Festival[16] | 2021, 2022 | [17] |
| 2 | The Inter Tourism Expo Accra | 2021 | [18] |
References
edit- ^ a b Braggs, Philip (2007). Ghana: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 422. ISBN 978-1841622057.
- ^ a b c Parks and reserves of Ghana : management effectiveness assessment of protected areas. IUCN. p. 55. ISBN 9782831712772.
- ^ Editor (2016-02-24). "Greater Accra Region". touringghana.com. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Shai Hills Resource Reserve". Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ "Shai Hills Resource Reserve". shai-hills-resource-reserve.business.site. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ Ghana, Business Day. "Calm Shai Hills Resource Reserve - News Ghana". www.newsghana.com.gh/. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "Shai Hills Resource Reserve". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "The socio-cultural impact of ecotourism on park-adjacent communities in Ghana". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
- ^ Acquah, Emmanuel (July 2019). "The socio-cultural impact of ecotourism on park-adjacent communities in Ghana. African Journal of Hospitality". Tourism and Leisure. 6: 14.
- ^ "Species distribution of kobs (Kobus kob) in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve: an exploratory analysis | Raymond Agyepong Antwi | Request PDF". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
- ^ "Shai Hills Reserve". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
- ^ "General Travel Information". www.isanet.org. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
- ^ "The Shai Hills Resource Reserve... an untapped national 'gold mine'". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ "World-Class Adventure Tourism hits Shai Hills Reserve". www.myjoyonline.com. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ "Shai Hills Reserve To Be Developed Into An Eco-Tourism Site". Modern Ghana. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ^ "Wildaland Festival – Wildaland Festival".
- ^ "Wildaland: Davido, Stonebwoy, R2bees and over 20 acts set to headline Africa's "Glastonbury" - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
- ^ GNA (2021-09-19). "Inter Tourism Expo Accra 2021 media tour held". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2022-12-03.