Shai Hills Resource Reserve

Coordinates: 5°54′34″N 0°03′55″E / 5.9094°N 0.0653°E / 5.9094; 0.0653
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Shai Hills Resource Reserve
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Sign post of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve
The location of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve as shown within the map of Ghana
The location of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve as shown within the map of Ghana
Location in Ghana
LocationDoryumu, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Nearest cityAccra[1]
Coordinates5°54′34″N 0°03′55″E / 5.9094°N 0.0653°E / 5.9094; 0.0653
Area51 km2 (5,100 ha; 20 sq mi)
Established1962[2]
Shai Hills
Zebra at the Shai Hills Reserve

Shai Hills Resource Reserve is a resource reserve located in Doryumu in the Shai Osudoku District all in the Greater Accra Region. It is along the Tema - Akosombo High way. It was established in 1962 with area of 47 square kilometres (4,700 ha; 18 sq mi) which was later extended to 51 square kilometres (5,100 ha; 20 sq mi) in 1973.[2][3][4][5][6]

History[edit]

The area was declared Forest Reserve in 1962 with total area of 47 square kilometres (4,700 ha; 18 sq mi) which was later expanded to 51 square kilometres (5,100 ha; 20 sq mi) in 1973. It was made a Game Production Reserve in 1971.[2] The protected area was home to the Shai people before they were ejected by the British in 1892, remains of Shai peoples works can still be found at the reserve.[1]

Recreation[edit]

The Reserve has been a host to recreational activities such as Picnics, and in 2017 hosted the National Biking & Abseil Festival.[7][8] The area is of the best tourism hubs in Ghana.

Events[edit]

Events held at Shai Hills resource reserve has been home to these events:

S/N Name Year Ref
1 WildaLand Festival[9] 2021, 2022 [10]
2 The Inter Tourism Expo Accra 2021 [11]

Location[edit]

Shai Hills Resource Reserve is located along the TemaAkosombo road. It is about 57 kilometres (35 mi) from Accra, the capital city of Ghana making it the closest wildlife reserve to Accra.[1]

Threats[edit]

The 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.[12]

Touring[edit]

The Shai Hills Resource Reserve is covered with grassland and low dry forest vegetation. There are nearly 400 plant species spread on the 5 separate hills at the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. There are nearly dozens of primary animal species including antelopes, bats, birds (such as violet Turaco, Paradise Flycatcher, Green Turaco Red-billed Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, and Red-necked Buzzard), baboons, cats, duiker, guinea fowls, kobs, green monkeys, monitor lizards, African python, royal python, and zebras.[13]

[14][15]

Visits[edit]

Visitors can visit the attractive region of hilly rocks and grassy plains reserve all year round. Touring the reserve during the early rainy season (May through July) could be difficult because of the rough road condition. Popular activities include game viewing, bird watching, nature walking, and rock climbing.[16][17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Braggs, Philip (2007). Ghana: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 422. ISBN 978-1841622057.
  2. ^ a b c Parks and reserves of Ghana : management effectiveness assessment of protected areas. IUCN. p. 55. ISBN 9782831712772.
  3. ^ Editor (2016-02-24). "Greater Accra Region". touringghana.com. Retrieved 2019-05-21. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Shai Hills Resource Reserve". Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  5. ^ "Shai Hills Resource Reserve". shai-hills-resource-reserve.business.site. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ "World-Class Adventure Tourism hits Shai Hills Reserve". www.myjoyonline.com. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  8. ^ "Shai Hills Reserve To Be Developed Into An Eco-Tourism Site". Modern Ghana. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  9. ^ "Wildaland Festival – Wildaland Festival".
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ GNA (2021-09-19). "Inter Tourism Expo Accra 2021 media tour held". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  12. ^ "The Shai Hills Resource Reserve... an untapped national 'gold mine'". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  13. ^ "The socio-cultural impact of ecotourism on park-adjacent communities in Ghana". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "Shai Hills Reserve". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  17. ^ "General Travel Information". www.isanet.org. Retrieved 2019-07-18.