Kakum National Park, located in the coastal environs of the Central Region[1][2][3] of Ghana,[4] covers an area of 375 square kilometres (145 sq mi).

It is one of only 3 locations in Africa with a canopy walkway,[8] which is 350 metres (1,150 ft) long and connects seven tree tops which provides access to the forest.

[6][9] The most notable endangered species of fauna in the park are Diana monkey,[10] giant bongo antelope,[11] yellow-backed duiker[12] and African elephant.

[19] The Museums and Monuments Board of the Republic of Ghana has proposed that UNESCO[20] declare the park a natural World Heritage Site under criteria vii and x.

He showcased the TODSCER program in America and drew a number of sponsoring institutions both bilateral and multi-lateral from the donor community for the project to its maturity.

[23] After a survey of the faunal richness of the conservation area, it was split into the Kakum National Park and the Assin Attandanso Forest Reserve during the same year.

The split was justified with the argument that Cape Coast and 33 other towns and villages continue to need timber from the forest and potable water provided by the Kakum River.

Also reported are the Boval vegetation of Hildegardia barteri-Polycarpaea tenuifolia community found in exposed granite rocks and in shallow soils.

It is, however, noted that the logged areas have regenerated secondary forest consisting of a thick green mantle and vine tangles.

[9] Two hundred forest elephants, potto,[41] Demidoff's galago[42] African civet,[43] two-spotted palm civet,[44] leopard,[45] bongo, many species of duikers (small antelopes), red river hog,[46] giant forest hog,[47] long-tailed pangolin,[48] white-belied pangolin,[49] giant pangolin,[50] many species of forest squirrels, North African crested porcupine,[51] dwarf crocodile,[52] monitor lizards, Home's hinged tortoise, serrated tortoise[53] and many other fauna are reported from the park.

[62][9] A particular feature is the Komfo Boateng's Shrine, a circular rock near Aboabo, of approximately 100 metres (330 ft) diameter with Bovine flora of Ceiba pathandra, Albizia furruginea and Ricinodendron heudelotii.

At 40 m (130 ft) height, the visitor can approach the limits and view plants and animals from a vantage point that would otherwise be inaccessible to people.

Built with wire rope, aluminium ladders, wooden planks, it is secured by a series of netting for safety purposes.

[6] The Canopy Walkway was built by two Canadian engineers from Vancouver[63] with the assistance of five (5) Ghanaians - the latter (staff of Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust- managers of the Kakum National Park Visitor Centre)have been maintaining the facility ever since.

The original concept for establishment of a canopy walkway at this location was the inspiration of Joseph Dudley, a conservation biologist recruited by Conservation International who coordinated the drafting of the Feasibility Study and Preliminary 5-year Management Plan for the development of Kakum National Park as an ecotourism destination under a project conducted for the United Nations Development Program (Dudley 1990).

This facility which houses close to 25 people provides an adventurous opportunity for campers to especially at night experience forest life.

A trained Tour Guide is always on hand to take campers on the night hikes as well as sharing Folklore of the Kakum Forest by a bonfire.

The threats faced in the park which are being addressed relate to poaching; visible proof has been recorded in the form of "camps, empty matchboxes, pieces of rubber tyres, used carbide, gunshots and cartridges"[5]), hunting, land encroachments and chainsaw operation.

[64] To prevent raids by elephants during the cropping season on the agricultural fields, farmers have adopted the practice of building pepper fences around their lands to protect their farms.

Though poaching is still prevalent, the management practice of involving local communities to share the benefits of the park would yield positive results.