Ho, Feb. 27, GNA - Mr Ken Kinney, Executive Director of Development Institute (DI), an environment and human security non-governmental organization (NGO), has called for collaboration among relevant agencies in the Volta Region to restore the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Weto Gbeka Range.

He made the call at a consultative workshop of some chiefs of communities along the Range, the Forestry Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ho on restoring the Range's ecosystem. Mr Kinney said the Weto range comes next to the Western Region in terms of richness in biodiversity. He said the restoration of the Range's ecosystem and biodiversity required a comprehensive action plan and funding. A Global Environmental Facility (GEF) report from which Mr Kinney quoted stated that, the Weto Range is the only area in Ghana where 2 distinct vegetations (tropical and semi-deciduous forest) and coastal savanna ecosystem co-exist.

It said an ecological survey carried out in the Nyangbo Sroe portion of the hilly forest range revealed a total of 127 different plant species belonging to 45 different plant families. It also provides a unique micro-climate for flora and fauna and also serves as a watershed for many streams and other sources of water for over 300 communities (approximately 75000 people). Mr Kinney said biodiversities were becoming extinct as a result of trans-boundary bushfires and overly exploitation and "therefore needs containment that will induce sustainable development and poverty reduction," among communities along the range. The Weto or Togo-Ghana Range is a trans-boundary mountain range which is part of the Akwapim Togoland range stretching from Juapong in the North-Tongu district, Avatime in the Ho Municipal area to Leklebi in the Hohoe Municipal area in the Volta Region, and also stretches into the Kloto Region of the Republic of Togo. 27 Feb 10