Cape Coast, Elmina Castles Back To Life

The Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, tow of the Worlds Heritage Monuments, have been re-opened to tourists after almost a week?s closure following a strike action by the workers.

Turnout was however very low apparently because the tourists were not aware of the new development. During a visit to the Cape Coast Castle on Monday, the Times saw few foreign tourists being conducted round the various units of the Castle by officials of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. As at 4.30pm, just about 100 tourists had visited the place.

Nat Geltmacher from United States of America said he was very impressed and happy to visit the Castle. The Assistant Chief Security Officer, Mr George Appiah, said the situation at the Castle last week was very pathetic as some tourist from France, Great Britain, USA and others from Burkina Faso, were refused entry into the Castle.

Earlier in an interview, Mr Leo Yankson, vice-chairman of the Local Workers Union, said they resumed work last Friday at about 2pm, upon receipt of a statement from the Ministry of Finance to the effect that over ?319 million had been released to cover the outstanding allowances of 360 staff of GMMB across the country.

He called on the management of GMMB to address the problems concerning the overall working conditions of staff and provide the needed imputes and materials to keep the artifacts at the Castle alive.