Minister visits tourist sites in Volta Region

Wli-Agorviefe (V/R), Dec. 8, GNA - The Minister of Tourism, Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah, has visited the Wli Waterfall and Tafi-Atome monkey sanctuary in the Volta Region to acquaint herself with facilities at both sites to find ways of developing them to attract tourists At the Wli waterfall, which is the highest in West Africa, falling from a height of 60-80 meters over the cliff, she expressed regret that a receptive facility started seven years ago, had been abandoned and overgrown with weeds.

Mrs Mensah said a team of experts would be asked to assess the cost of completing the facility so that tourists could have a decent place to relax and spend some time in the village.

The Minister also noted that the bridge over a river on the road leading to the site had to be replaced, adding that the site had to be clean to attract domestic and foreign visitors. Interacting with craftsmen and traders at Wli-Agorviefe, Mrs Azumah Mensah urged them to do more painting depicting the Wli Waterfall, which visitors could buy.

The Minister paid a courtesy call on the Acting Paramount Chief of Wli-Agorviefe, Tigbe Ametorni III and his elders. The chief was happy about the visit and said the Mrs Mensah was the second minister who had visited them.

He appealed to the Minister to ask government to tar the road leading to the Wli Waterfall to encourage tourists to visit the site. At Tafi-Atome, the Minister interacted with the elders of the village and identified the need for eco-lodges where tourists could lodge overnight to watch the monkeys at dawn.

A local management team has been put in place to take care of the management and maintenance of the monkey sanctuary.