Formula for sharing proceeds from Kakum Park to be revisited

Accra, July 9, GNA - The Ministry of Tourism is consulting with the appropriate agencies to re-visit the formula for sharing proceeds from the Kakum National Park.

Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, Tourism Minister, told Parliament that in 2006, cabinet gave approval for the sharing of revenue among various agencies and stakeholders.

This, she said, was as follows; "central government gets 10 percent of the proceeds, district assemblies get 20 percent, traditional authorities and communities take 20 percent with the remaining 50 percent going into a Maintenance Fund to manage the park." She however said; "The implementation of the formula has not been put in place since its publication in 2006." The Minister was responding to a question on the formula for sharing proceeds from the park.

She said the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assisted the Wild Life Division to manage the park. Mrs Azumah-Mensah said; "60 percent of the revenue is allocated to GHCT for maintenance, administration, utility, payments, etc, while the remaining 40 percent goes to the Wild Life Division of the Forestry Commission."

She said the formula for sharing was going to be revisited after consultations.

The Minister said the Tourism Ministry through the Ghana Tourist Board would work closely with the assemblies to develop the Sacred Fish Pond and other attractions in the Techiman Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region. She was answering questions on plans to develop the spiritual fish habitat in the Tano River into a tourist site. 09 July 09