PECK

Ashanti’s Picathartes Education and Conservation for Knowledge Fund

Ashanti African Tours commitment to conservation and community development initiatives can be seen through our recently established Picathartes Education and Conservation for Knowledge Fund (PECK).  Not seen in Ghana for nearly 50 years and believed to be extinct in the country, the prehistoric looking upper guinea endemic yellow headed picathartes (or white necked rockfowl) which is classified as an endangered species was rediscovered by chance in 2003.

More than 14 nesting sites have since been uncovered but still this species future is not secure, habitat destruction and in particular illegal logging and hunting are its main threats.  Our Picathartes Education and Conservation for Knowledge Fund aims to support the 3 communities which surround a small upper guinea rainforest that protects at least 10 nesting sites for this much sought after species.  We will assist the communities in educating their children by paying for school and print fees, uniforms, books and supplies and we are also committed to developing a school in one of the communities within a 3 year period.  This will enable the younger children to start school at the correct age as currently many are not beginning to attend kindergarten or primary level one until they are 10 years old due to a long walk to the nearest school.  We aim to staff and run the free education facility ourselves incorporating conservation and environmental learning into the standard syllabus which is currently not the case at government schools in Ghana at present.  We hope to be able to assist outstanding students to further their education to the highest level which so many currently are unable to do due to financial difficulties.  Ultimately we hope that by showing our commitment to the communities enabling them to see the immediate benefits of conserving the habitat they will help us stop the illegal logging and hunting activities by locals that come from or pass through their communities.

Website www.ashantiafricantours.com Email info@ashantiafricantours.com