Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Catherine Afeku has called on traditional leaders and the management committee of Wli Waterfalls to support her and the Ministry to restructure the Waterfalls and make it Ghana’s tourism haven.
According to her, the Waterfalls remains one of the most preferred tourist destination sites despite its current dilapidated state, expressing hope that her planned interventions will no doubt, yield expected results.
The Wli Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in West Africa and known locally as Agumatsa Waterfalls – meaning, “Allow Me to Flow,” is located in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.
Though the Falls attract tourists from across the world who flock there because of the stunning nature of the waterfall as well as the serene environment, management of the Falls fails to maintain the site to attract more tourists.
Madam Afeku who observed the poor conditions at the Falls including the absence of sanitary facility, rest stop among others as factors that turn away tourists from the Falls, asked for the support and cooperation from the chiefs and people to make the restructuring work.
The Minister made the call when she visited the Falls as part of a tour of some tourist sites in the region. She was accompanied by some officials from the Ministry and three tourist Ambassadors, Edem, Rapper, Lucky Mensah, Highlife Musician and Van Vicker, an Actor.
According to her, the situation at the Falls (similar to that of other tourist sites in the country) is as a result of poor management of revenues.
She explained that host communities of tourist sites have management committees who have employed tour guides and staff who collect revenues, part of which must be used to maintain the sites yet there is little to show for them.
This, she noted is not in the best interest of the communities, tourist sites, the tourists and the entire country.
Madam Afeku therefore mentioned that a new system will see the deployment of an automated payment system to maximise revenue generation.
Revenue generated would be shared among key stakeholders with majority been directed into improvement of the Waterfall and other facilities in the Wli enclave.
A Senior Tour Guide at the Waterfalls, Emmanuel Gblorkpor thanked the Minister for her plans to re-position the Falls and on behalf of the whole stakeholders of the site, pledged maximum support to the new arrangements.
By: Ewoenam Kpodo/voltaonlinegh.com
