Digya National Park: Ghana’s oldest wildlife park

The Digya National Park is the oldest national park in Ghana, created in the early 1900s by the British colonial administrators of the then Gold Coast. Also the park is the second largest protected wildlife park in the country with area coverage of some 3,750 km.

The park which is located in the Brong Ahafo region was officially gazetted as a national wildlife park in 1971, even though it had been existence for over six decades. Prior to this, there were human settlements on the park, engaged in livelihood activities like farming. Governments over the decades made attempts to relocate the park settlers. This was finally achieved in 2006 under the presidency of John Agyekum Kufour when all the settlers were relocated, making Digya National park an animal-only inhabited park.

In terms of wildlife population, the park is home to several animals, especially rare primate species, antelopes and Elephants. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds as well as butterflies.

Digya National Park

Digya National Park uniquely is the only wildlife park in Ghana that is bordered by the Volta Lake on three fronts; south, north and east, making it one of the most safest and rich animal parks in Ghana.

The Park is also known to have the second highest elephant population in Ghana, making it a prime destination for everyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the tall humble beast.

Digya National Park

In recent years, government has had to institute measures to fight illegal activities like elephant poaching in the forest. This resulted in the establishment of a patrol team to guard the park and ensure the arrest of people who engage in the practice while also protecting the animals in the forest.