100 sq km land for nature conservation

Takoradi, Sept. 23,-GNA-A 100-square kilometre land has been earmarked to be developed as a Community Nature Reserve in the Jomoro district in the Western Region.

The land was released by the chiefs and people and is, expected to be developed for the sustenance of tourism.

Mr. John Parker, Manager of the Amanzure Community Integrated Development (ACID) Project announced this at the celebration of the United Nations World Tourism Day at Takoradi on Saturday. The Day was on the theme: "Tourism Enriches".

He said the manure from the Amanzule nourishes sea corals, which in turn is consumed by fish stocks.

"If we destroy our wetlands, we would destroy our entire fishing industry and fish stocks", he stressed.

Mr. Parker said the Nzuleso community earned 471 million cedis, last year from tourists who visited the community and these funds have been distributed among the catchment communities.

He explained that the ACID project could assist communities in the area, including the district assemblies to get additional income if a sea tour, boating, turtle viewing and the beautiful beaches were properly developed to attract more Ghanaians and other tourists. He said the Nzuleso community expects to receive 75,000 visitors and raise 1.8 billion cedis yearly if the other potentials were developed. Awulae Annor Adjaye III, President of the Nzemamanle Council condemned the indiscriminate urinating and defecating in public places. "It's unhealthy, does not promote tourism and serves as a bad example for children," he added.

He noted that begging for alms from tourists and the wearing of shabby and indecent cloths must stop.

Awulae noted that emulating blindly does not make one superior, but "you rather expose your nudity to the general public." Awulae noted that individual's homes must have their own toilets to enable strangers and visits to use public ones, now being patronised by many residents.