Accra, Jan 30, Mr Edward Paul Brynn, United States Ambassador in Ghana, today presented a grader and a tipper truck to the Ghana Armed Forces for the development of the Shai Hills game reserve.

The vehicles, valued at over 200,000 U. S. dollars, were donated by the United States Army European Command as part of its support to defence agencies interested in environmental protection.

In 1991, the U. S. Senate initiated a programme to assist the Ghana Armed Forces to develop the Shai Hills and Kakum game reserves.

About 420,000 dollars has been allocated for the rehabilitation of dug out dams, construction of a fire belt and a perimeter fence to prevent the spread of bush fire into the Shai Hills Park and the improvement of tourist tracks.

Mr Brynn said the United States government decided to assist because of Ghana's commitment towards the preservation and protection of the environment. He said as a result of high population growth, forest reserves and parks were being exploited for agricultural activities, logging, and pollution and it is important that these activities are checked to preserve the environment for future generations. The Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel Enoch T. Donkoh (rtd), who received the donation, thanked the U. S.Government for their support. Col. Donkoh said as part of its civic programmes, the Ghana Armed Forces have been checking illegal sand winning, stone quarrying, and illegal fishing in inland waters.