A team of the Rufford Project at the Department of Ecotourism, Recreation and Hospitality has paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako at his office.
The Coordinator of the Project, Dr. Yaw Boakye Agyeman briefed the Vice-Chancellor of the awards from Rufford Foundation to support research, education and conservation of White-bullied Pangolin species (Phataginus tricuspid), in and around the Asukese Forest Reserve, Ahafo Region.
He indicated that pangolins are classified as endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The global populations of the species have declined by 40% over the past 21 years due to forest loss, and overexploitation for the meat and scales. The staff used the occasion to present pangolin-branded souvenirs to him.
The Vice-Chancellor during the interaction pledged his support to the staff and to support the protection of Pangolin in Ghana.
The Rufford Foundation is the UK-registered charity that funds nature conservation projects across the developing world. The flagship Rufford Small Grants Programme gives funding to individuals working in developing countries that are starting on the ladder of conservation research and establishing pilot programmes.
Other members of the Project present were Mr. Augustine Oti Yeboah, Project Assistant and Mr. Agro Prince Pascal, Principal Investigator.