Kakum National Park opens amidst strict COVID-19 safety compliance

The Park Manager of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Mr Samuel Annan-Riverson has announced the reopening of the  Kakum National Park in the Central Region with a call on tourists to comply strictly with the safety measures outlined to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID -19) pandemic.

The reopening which commenced on Saturday, August 1 followed agreement between the Board of Trustees of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT) andthe Management of the Wild life Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana (WD of FC).

According to a statement issued in Central Region on Thursday and signed by Mr Annan-Riverson, the protocols  had been developed per the regulations and guidelines provided by the World Travel and Tourism Council’s “Sanitary Measures for the Resumption of Activities in the Tourism Sector” and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

“We entreat our patrons to comply with these and other measures to mitigate the infection and potential spread of COVID -19 on our premise,” it said.

The Statement noted that, the closure of the park on March 18 gave managementthe opportunity to repair weak canopy walk ways and to disinfect the place.

However, KNP lost in excess of about GH ₵400, 000 in revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which peaked during the closure.

Meanwhile, Mr Michael Amonoo, the Marketing officer of GHCT hasrevealed that the outbreak of the virus affected the cost of the maintenance and the organisation’s liquidity over the period of time.

He observed that the closing of the National park has however helped in a positive way, stressing that“the fauna and the general environmenthave been kept away from distraction and interference.”

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March ordered the closure of tourist sites as a measure to contain the spread of the virus.

However, following the easing of the measure on July 26, the authorities were urged to reopen the centre as a means of revitalising the economy.

BY GLORIA NSIAH MINTAH