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A UNESCO designated area containing one or more sites of particular geological importance intended to conserve the geological heritage and promote public awareness of it, typically through tourism.
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 46 countries.
There are four fundamental features to a UNESCO Global Geopark. These features are an absolute prerequisite for an area to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The four features that are fundamental to a UNESCO Global Geopark are:
To become a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area must have a geological heritage of international value. This is assessed by scientific professionals, as part of the “UNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Team”. Based on the international peer-reviewed, published research conducted on the geological sites within the area, the scientific professionals make a globally comparative assessment to determine whether the geological sites constitute international value.
UNESCO Global Geoparks promote sustainable local economic development mainly through geotourism. To stimulate geotourism in the area, a UNESCO Global Geopark must have visibility. Visitors, as well as local people, need to be able to find relevant information on the UNESCO Global Geopark. As such, providing information via a dedicated website, leaflets, and a detailed map of the area that connects the area’s geological and other sites. A UNESCO Global Geopark should also have a corporate identity.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are managed by a body having legal existence recognized under national legislation. This management body should be appropriately equipped to address the entire area and should include all relevant local and regional actors and authorities. UNESCO Global Geoparks require a management plan, agreed upon by all the partners, that provides for the social and economic needs of the local populations, protects the landscape in which they live, and conserves their cultural identity. This plan must be comprehensive, incorporating the governance, development, communication, protection, infrastructure, finances, and partnerships of the UNESCO Global Geopark.
A UNESCO Global Geopark is not only about cooperation with the local people living in the UNESCO Global Geopark area, but also about collaborating with other UNESCO Global Geoparks through the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), and regional networks for UNESCO Global Geoparks, to learn from each other and, as a network, improve the quality of the label UNESCO Global Geopark. Working together with international partners is the main reason for UNESCO Global Geoparks to be a member of an international network such as the GGN. Membership in the GGN is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks. By working together across borders, UNESCO Global Geoparks contribute to increasing understanding among different communities and, as such, help peace-building processes.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation with an annual membership fee, which was founded in 2004. UNESCO Global Geoparks must be members of the GGN. It is a dynamic network where members are committed to working together and exchanging ideas of best practices and joining in common projects to raise the quality standards of all products and practices of a UNESCO Global Geopark. While the GGN as a whole comes together every two years, it functions through the operation of regional networks, such as the European Geoparks Network, which meets twice a year to develop and promote joint activities.
Responsible for carrying out systematic geological mapping to compile detailed geological and structural maps with relevant reports.
The Wildlife Division is one of the three divisions of the reconstituted Forestry Commission with the mandate to conserve wildlife in Ghana in general and manage wildlife protected areas in particular within representative ecological zones of the country.
This village is over nine centuries old. Shiare is the paramount seat of the Atwode people and is affectionately called the ‘hanging village’ as a result of its architectural design. The houses are virtually built into the mountain, making them look as though they are hanging. The name ‘hanging village’ was given to them by Europeans due to how far apart they were from the rest of the people within the region many years ago. The Shiare people are predominantly farmers, and they produce natural honey.
Situated in Kyabobo Park, it is about 30 meters high. There is the upper fall and the lower fall and the accompanying singing of birds, shrills of monkeys, and cries of animals, and the forest canopy gives tourists a wonderful sense of satisfaction. The waterfall serves as the only source of water for the community, and it’s about 40 40-minute walk from the Shiare village.
The Two “Breast Mountains” viewed from the Nkwanta Township are a welcome signal to the park. On top of these mountains, a panoramic view of the underlying plains, villages, and the Volta Lake offers the climbers a unique impression of the natural beauty of the park and other parts of Ghana. There are also camping sites in the park to suit the taste of lovers of nature and Eco-tourism.
Kyabobo National Park (pronounced CHAY-a-bobo), a newly created Park in the Atwode traditional area, is located in the Nkwanta district of the Northern Volta Region. This park, which covers an area of 359.8 km,² is found in the Dry semi-deciduous forest zone and has both forest and savanna species of plants and animals. Its forests contain the nationally endangered endemic tree Talbotiella Gendtii.
The reserve was established in 1997. Ghana’s second-highest mountain, Mount Dzebo, is contained within the park and offers visitors an impressive view of Lake Volta. The National Park is recognized internationally as a unique mountainous conservation area with stunning views and well-protected wilderness.
Animals common to the park include Buffalo, Kob, Warthog, Aardvark, and Baboon. Threatened species of animals, with adequate protection, may recover, including Lion, Elephant, Bongo, Reedbuck, and Hartebeest, which may recolonize the Park from the adjacent Fazao National Park in the neighboring country Togo.
Animals common to the park include Buffalo, Kob, Warthog, Aardvark, and Baboon. Threatened species of animals, with adequate protection, may recover, including Lion, Elephant, Bongo, Reedbuck, and Hartebeest, which may recolonize the Park from the adjacent Fazao National Park in the neighboring country Togo.
The park offers challenging multiple-day hikes through its rugged terrain, mountain biking, game viewing hides, shrines, and sacred gro,ves as well as interesting cultural experiences.