A transformative chapter in eco-tourism, environmental conservation, and community empowerment has officially begun in the Gomoa Central constituency following the issuance of a temporary Entry Permit by the Forestry Commission (FC) to the Gomoa Eco Park Development Company Limited.
The announcement was made by the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, who revealed that the permit authorizes Gomoa Eco Park, alongside its contractors, consultants, and technical personnel, to commence preliminary works within designated areas of Blocks A and B of the Yenku Forest Reserve. This crucial step paves the way for full-scale development while final negotiations for a substantive management agreement between the Commission and the development company are concluded.
Military Engineers and Scientific Agencies Mobilize
With the Entry Permit secured, key state institutions are moving onto the site to lay the foundational infrastructure for what is envisioned to become one of West Africa’s premier eco-tourism and educational destinations.
The Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment has been cleared to begin immediate road construction within the approved zones of the reserve, ensuring accessible routes for construction logistics and future visitors. Concurrently, environmental teams will begin a comprehensive ecological audit—taking stock of existing flora and fauna, and identifying and documenting every species within the reserve to bolster conservation efforts and enrich visitor education.
Adding a profound scientific and historical dimension to the project, the Ghana Geological Survey Authority is set to commence work on an on-site geological museum. Designed as an immersive educational hub, the museum will guide tourists through the evolutionary history of the Earth, chronicling how the planet was formed, the timeline of human habitation in this part of the world, and showcasing Ghana’s rich mineral wealth alongside the geological formations in which they occur.
Wildlife Conservation and Marine Protection
Beyond infrastructure and geology, the preliminary phase will initiate preparations for the introduction of both local and exotic wildlife species into safe, managed habitats within the park. Simultaneously, the initiative extends its conservation mandate to the coast, launching dedicated programs to protect endangered sea turtles along the Gomoa shoreline.
Righting a Nearly 80-Year Historical Wrong
Perhaps the most socially impactful pillar of the Gomoa Eco Park project is its commitment to restorative economic justice for indigenous landowners.
According to Hon. Kwame Asare Obeng, the landowning families whose ancestral lands were originally acquired by the state for forest conservation last received royalties in 1947—leaving generations without compensation for nearly eight decades. Under the new Gomoa Eco Park framework, these families are guaranteed befitting royalties and a direct share of every cedi generated from tourism revenue, establishing a sustainable model of shared prosperity for generations to come.
A Vision of Shared Prosperity
Describing the project as a convergence of “nature, history, science, adventure, and shared prosperity,” the Gomoa Central MP emphasized a steady, disciplined approach to bringing the vision to life.
As heavy machinery from the 48 Engineer Regiment prepares to break ground and scientists begin cataloguing the natural treasures of the Yenku Forest Reserve, Gomoa Central stands on the cusp of an economic and ecological renaissance—built step by step, and designed to benefit both visitors and the custodians of the land.
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