Takoradi Zenith Hotel closed down in police swoop?

Takoradi, Nov. 04, GNA —Zenith Hotel in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis noted for its patronage by commercial sex workers and drug addicts, has been closed down by the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA) in a swoop on Friday. Some officials of GTA, Police personnel, the media accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng stormed the hotel premises at exactly 0530 hours on Friday and ordered the occupants, most of whom were prostitutes to pack out.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng said the hotel’s operating licence had expired since 2007 and failed to renew it contrary to (LI 205 of 1979).

He added that the hotel rooms were poorly ventilated, without fire certificates, environmental health certificate, while four or more persons occupy a room with curtains dividing them.

The occupants had also converted the bath house into kitchen with some rooms unhygienic for occupation.

Mr. Aygenim-Boateng indicated that, the exercise was also intended to clamp down on hoteliers that were not operating within the confines of the law and that all hoteliers found culpable would be fined or serve 12 months jail term or both.

He added that the aim was also to ensure sanity in the hospitality industry, earns revenue for the state, and urged all hoteliers to regularize their activities to avoid closure.

Interestingly, two churches namely Christ Embassy and Royal Gospel Church had also rented the top apartment of the hotel for church service while some herbal medicine operators had rented rooms as shops.

At the time of the exercise, some of the prostitutes had clients in their rooms and therefore refused to open the doors which compelled the Police to forcibly break the doors.

In one of the rooms, the team saw one man naked who quickly dressed up while the prostitute covered her nakedness with her clothes.

The exercise attracted a large crowd at the hotel who stood to watch the event.

The Hotel Manager, Mr. Francis Owusu became very much surprise when the team stormed the premises but managed to lead the team to inspect the rooms.

The hotel had 12 rooms.