Accra, April 30, GNA - The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission in conjunction with West Africa Primates Conservation Action (WAPCA), a wildlife society in the West African sub-region, on Tuesday inaugurated a centre at the Achimota Forest to preserve two species of the monkey family which are now threatened with extinction.

The centre known as the Endangered Primate Centre has been set up to promote the awareness and public education on the need to conserve endangered primates and other wildlife.

Speaking at the inauguration, Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, said the focus of the centre would be on the breeding of two species in West Africa known as the White-nape mangabey and Diana monkey.

According to him the centre which was previously located at the Accra Zoo had made remarkable progress in the management and breeding of mangabeys to the extent that it now had the largest collection of the species in the world.

He said the centre was collaborating with 12 European zoos, including Paris and London zoos, within the context of an International Breeding Programme for Endangered Species thus giving it an international reputation.

He said plans were underway to give the Achimota Forest a facelift which would include a zoo, primate centres and other facilities which would be suitable for the image of a capital city.

Mr. Ahmed Bin Salih, Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, said the Ministry would continue to pursue policies that would safeguard the habitat of these endangered monkeys and other species adding that zoos would continue to play major roles. He expressed his appreciation to WAPCA for the support it had given to the Wildlife Division since its inception.

Mr. Marius Haas, German Ambassador in Ghana, said the increased consumption of bush meat as well as dangerous hunting methods such as the use of chemicals and sophisticated firearms had led to the diminishing of wild animals at a fast pace.

"Only 500 chimpanzees are left in Ghana's forest. Three of Ghana's 10 forest monkey species are critically endangered and are listed among the world's 25 most endangered primates," the Ambassador said.

According to him, the former Accra Zoo was housing only two Roloway monkeys and 10 white-nape mangabeys representing 20 per cent of all white-nape mangabeys that are kept worldwide.