A total of 28 communities with a population of about 2,000, from the four districts hosting the reserve; Adaklu, Ho West, North, and Central Tongu, were inhabiting the Reserve illegally and the Regional Minister said force would have to be considered.

He said chiefs had voluntarily donated lands for resettlement, and that the huge potential of the 320 square kilometre guinea savannah game park should not be lost to encroachers.  Dr. Letsa was interacting with Chiefs, District Chief Executives and other stakeholders in Ho, on the management of the Reserve.

The meeting was organised by the Development Institute, a Non-Governmental Organisation which had since 2010, been collaborating with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.The Minister said the encroachers would by September 2018, have had enough grace period, after which a court order would be sought to carry out forced ejections.

Dr. Letsa said the Regional Coordinating Council would engage the Lands and Natural Resources, Local Government, and the Tourism Ministries among other stakeholders to chart a roadmap for the evictions. Health, sanitation, education and other basic facilities would be provided at the resettled areas, and he assured that they would be given the necessary priorities.

Dr. Letsa said the Resource Reserve provided investment opportunities, and appealed to investors to tap into its potentials. The Reserve, designated by a Legislative Instrument in 1975, is home to over 270 species of birds as well as buffaloes, river-hogs, and monkeys, and attracts thousands of tourists annually.

Mr. Alex Adjei, the Park Manager, said the wildlife populations had been growing significantly since the park’s establishment, although cattle grazing, fuel wood harvesting, and other human activities threatened its development.

He said the Park was being managed by a 36 member staff, whose work was not without mob attacks, kidnappings and other forms of violence by illegal settlers. He appealed for the construction of roads, eco-lodges, and camping sites to make the place more attractive and called on the district assemblies to help preserve the Reserve.

Government is acquiring a fourth resettlement site at Kpetoe in the Adaklu-Ayingbe District to augment the existing ones, and stakeholders called for a “human face” to the evictions.