Natural resources and conservation and historic preservation

Jago. The evaluation covered the period 8/91-9/94. The project is well-managed and is achieving its objectives, although there was a one year delay in start up due to problems in consummating debt swaps to generate local currency (which is still in short supply). Nonetheless, Kakum National Park is now legally established, logging has been banned and poaching reduced notably, and important research is being conducted on the species in the Park. The three historic sites are being stabilized, and facilities with significant tourism potential are being renovated. Interpretive facilities have been installed at Cape Coast Castle and the Park, and another will be installed at Elmina Castle. A cadre of public and private sector tourism professionals have been trained and have undertaken a wide variety of promotional activities -- familiarization tours, support for local festivals, preparation of brochures and maps, etc. Tourist visits to the sites have increased by 300% since 1988. It is recommended that the PACD be extended 1 year to 8/97, and that the relationship between Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) and the Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) be restructured in order to improve project management and reduce implementation delays. These recommendations were accepted by the Mission. Placement of a resident coordinator in the Central Region has improved project implementation. The project involves five U.S. and four local organizations, making communication difficult. The major lesson learned is the need to closely coordinate project activities with all parties concerned. Even more critical is the need to make sure that expectations are understood and problems relayed as quickly as possible to those who can solve them.