THE Royal Netherlands Embassy in Accra has approved $3.1 million to support a five-year development plan of the Kyabobo National Park in the Nkwanta District of the Volta Region.

The project, initiated in 1999, is under the collaborative efforts of the Ghana Government and the chiefs and people of nine communities whose lands were acquired for the project with sponsorship from the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).

The funds which have been channelled through the Kyabobo Area Natural Resource Development Plan, will be used to undertake projects such as the construction of offices and residential accommodation, procurement of equipment, capacity-building programmes with the view to promoting sustainable management of wildlife and eco-tourism.

The Programme Officer of the SNV, Mrs Annette Van Andel, made this known at a durbar of chiefs and people to mark the take-off of the second phase of the project at Nkwanta, last Thursday.

The ceremony also coincided with the handing over of equipment and logistics, including two Yamaha-motor bikes, a computer and accessories as well as an office accommodation procured during the first phase of the project to the Wildlife Division.

Mr Alex Akobia, Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission said an advisory board for the park would soon be inaugurated to ensure effective communication and education in the area.