Techiman (B/A), Jan.20 GNA- Forikrom Abrono Organic Farming Project (ABROFAP), a community- based organisation, is organising a two-day workshop on Ecotourism and Conservation, for 50 farmers and opinion leaders at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Small Grant Programme (SGP) under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme are sponsoring the workshop.

The participants will be exposed to the techniques of promoting community-based ecotourism, restoration of degraded lands at Forikrom Boten Sacred groves for ecotourism development and wealth creation. Dr King David Amoah, Chairman of the National Steering Committee of GEF/SGP said 2.9 million dollars have so far been committed to the project, which started in 1992.

He said the project was addressing many adverse environmental problems such as pollution of internal sources of water, loss of biodiversity, ozone layer depletion, land degradation and desertification.

Dr Amoah, who is also the National Coordinator of Ecumenical Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, said the global environmental problems, could best be addressed by the district assemblies and other stakeholders

Mr Isaac Osei-Antwi, Municipal Chief Executive, charged the people to protect ecotourism sites from bushfires and asked the chiefs as custodians of the land to lead the campaign.

Nana Kwaw Adams, Executive Director of ABROFAP said the project would lead to the creation, sustenance and management of 100 hectares of natural forest around the Boten Caves.

He said the project would provide Ecotourism information and Resource Management Centre to be equipped with traditional facilities to promote and create intensive ecotourism awareness. Nana Oseadeaye Asa Ackompanin, Krobohene and Kyidomhene of the Techiman Traditional Area and Chairman of Techiman Tourism Centre, called on chiefs to be responsible in the management and development of tourism.

Mr Joseph Appiah Agyei, Senior Resource Officer of Ghana Tourist Board said, it was the main objective of Ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City to make Ghana a preferred destination in Africa by the end of 2007.

Nana Apenten Fosu Gyeabour, Hansuahene and Banmuhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, who chaired the opening Ceremony asked the participants to take deliberations at the workshop seriously and encourage all and sundry to embrace the development of tourism in the country.