FrogLog 103 PDF here - Amphibian Specialist Group

the Atewa Forest for its large bauxite deposits. This attempt was
hampered by World War I, and so was the second attempt in 1938.
As recently as March 2011, Vimetco Ghana (Bauxite) Ltd. conducted
comprehensive geological surveys and are expecting to mine
the Atewa Forest bauxite to provide aluminium for their Chinese
smelter. The slippery frog’s population and similar vulnerable flora
and fauna face potential extirpation from these mining activities,
due to deforestation and siltation of streams.
As a result of these developments, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana
(STF! Ghana: www.savethefrogs.com/ghana) is doing everything
possible to stop mining activities in Atewa and to permanently protect
the Atewa Forest as the “Atewa Hills National Park”.
STF! Ghana, in collaboration with a coalition of NGOs against mining
in Atewa, recently called on the King of Akyem Abuakwa (Osagyefo
Amoatia Ofori Panin II) and highlighted the need to create
Atewa Forest as a National Park. To this suggestion, the King - who
is the custodian of Atewa Forest - gave his word. As part of this
visit, we also educated local people who have traditionally managed
the Atewa Forest for water production, catchment protection, sustainable
timber production, wildlife conservation and recreation
to understand how bauxite mining will be incompatible with the
sustenance of their livelihoods. The coalition has also organized a
news conference in the country’s capital and we are currently seeking
funding to garner more local media attention through forums
on national TV and radio. We have also developed petitions and
are collecting signatures from scientists, students and the general
public to compel the government to rescind its decision to mine Atewa
Forest. On the 4 th Annual Save The Frogs Day (April 28, 2012),
STF! Ghana’s efforts to educate the public about amphibians and
to create the Atewa Hills National Park were featured in local news
headlines.
To further secure the Atewa Forest, which is also under threat
from illegal timber harvesting, we are currently seeking funding to
implement beekeeping for local people as a win-win approach for
alleviating poverty while conserving the environment. STF! Ghana
will also soon set up a Chapter at Atewa’s local university (i.e the
University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies). We
plan to build the capacities of the local undergraduate students in
amphibian research and conservation and we hope to secure funding
to give the students small grants for them to undertake projects
specifically focusing on the conservation of the slippery frog. From
our experience of the Chapter at the Kwame Nkrumah University in
Kumasi (www.savethefrogs.com/knust), building students’ capacity
and assisting them with grants is rewarding. Prior to the inception
of STF! Ghana at the university, only 10 students on average
opted for Wildlife Studies when they entered their third year at the
university. Today however, as a result of our pragmatic initiatives,
about 40 students have opted to take Wildlife Studies.
Creating the Atewa Hills National Park is STF! Ghana’s most urgent
campaign. Success would be a huge victory for Ghana’s frogs,
the people of Ghana and for environmental conservation efforts in
general. We welcome financial assistance and volunteer time.
Acknowldegemt
We thank His Royal Majesty, the King of Akyem Abuakwa
(Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II), who is the custodian of Atewa
Forest for all his support. We also thank all SAVE THE FROGS!
donors around the world, without whom SAVE THE FROGS!
Ghana would not exist. We acknowledge the support of our Board
of Directors and all our members.
FrogLog 20 (4) | Issue number 103 (July 2012) | 35