Kumasi, July 14, GNA - The Buabeng-Fiema and peripheral communities in the Nkoranza District of the Brong Ahafo region, the most populous home for two monkey species in West Africa, faces the risk of losing the monkeys if serious efforts are not made to halt the rate at which invasive, exotic trees are being planted, ostensibly to afforest the degraded part of the area. Leucaena (Leucocephala), and Cigar Box tree (Cassia Siamea) the trees which are not food for the monkeys, have the ability to compete, suppress, and interrupt the natural succession of the native plants thereby colonizing the natural habitat of the already endangered animals to make the animals less productive or even migrate. Mr. Bright Obeng Kankam, a research scientist of the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), gave the caution when the communities were about to plant about 2,040 Cassia and 1,800 leucaena seedlings supplied by a Non-Governmental-Organisation (NGO) for reforestation in the area recently.

The Scientist, who is currently pursuing a PHD programme in the study of Primates (Primatology) expressed grave concern over the situation at the Sanctuary where the monkeys, Colobus Vellerosis and Campbelli Lowei, known locally as "Efuor" and "Kwakuo" respectively protected by some traditional taboos, have historically co-existed with humans for centuries.

Voicing the concern over the invasive nature of the plants in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kankam cited the cultivation of only four seedlings of Lucaena in some part of the Sanctuary which has spread over an area of one hectare after only ten years.

Mr. Obeng-Kankam said the situation coupled with farming, cutting down of trees and bushfires is a major threat to biodiversity in the area which is the country's major site for ecotourism. He advised NGO's to seek professional advice in the planning and execution of their reforestation projects and proposed the planting of indigenous trees like "Wawa, Mahogany, "Odum", "Onyina" and "Kyenkyen", among others.