Caleb qualified as Ghana’s first herpetologist and is the founder and director of Herp-Ghana, an NGO working for the protection of the country’s amphibians. On top of establishing the first protected area for endangered amphibians – a 60km2 reserve in eastern Ghana’s Togo-Volta Hills – Caleb has also help fund a canopy walkway as an ambitious eco-tourism project.
The project came to light when Herp-Ghana completed and operationalised the first canopy walkway in the Volta Region of Ghana. With support from Tusk, the Nick Maughan Foundation and other supporters, more than 4000 people have already visited the canopy!
The NGO also successfully re-planted 10 hectares of previously degraded forest in the Onepone Endangered Species Refuge, which is named in honour of the two communities who generously donated land. The refuge falls within the savannah corridor separating the Upper and Lower Guinean forests and protects one of the last remaining forest fragmentations, safeguarding a haven of biodiversity including the critically endangered togo slippery frog.
10,000 native tree seedlings have been planted along riverbanks and in degraded areas of the reserve. The trees were mainly all forest species that have been heavily logged. Herp-Ghana have also expanded their 15,000-capacity tree nursery to an amazing 50,000 capacity.
Theses success stories are a chance to highlight the hard work and perseverance of conservation heroes like Dr Caleb Ofori-Boateng, for all they are doing to help communities and protect wildlife. We look forward to shining a spotlight on more conservation leaders at this years Tusk Awards, keep an eye out as we announce the shortlist later this year.
