Wildlife Officer assures public of safety of Monkey Sanctuary

Fiema (B/A) Jan. 28 GNA - Mr Anthony N. Dassah, Wildlife Officer in-charge of the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, a popular tourist centre in Brong-Ahafo, has assured the public that the facility would be fortified against any form of human encroachment. He disclosed this at a meeting of the Management of the Sanctuary at Fiema after conducting the Ghana News Agency (GNA) round the boundaries of the sanctuary, which covers an area of 4.4 kilometres.

Mr Dassah said the area was under strong protection against bushfires and other practices that could affect the forest and the lives of the animals. He urged visitors and tourists not to be discouraged by a recent media report that bushfire nearly destroyed the sanctuary, explaining that "the area that was burnt is not part of the sanctuary".

Nana Okofo Tabiri Adjei, Chief of Boabeng and Nana Amponsah Boateng Chief of Fiema appealed to the Nkoranza District Fire station to regularly visit the area during the dry season to sensitize the people on the causes and effects of bushfires. Mr Benjamin Adu Darko, Presiding Member of Nkoranza North District Assembly and Assembly Member for Boabeng-Fiema, commended the fire volunteers and the youth for their hard work in helping to combat bushfires. He gave the assurance that the District Assembly and the two community leaders would not relent in their efforts to support and encourage the volunteers in their duties. Mr Edward Opoku, Chairman of the Board of the Sanctuary, urged the community leaders to help educate the people against bushfires.