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General News on Friday, February 8, 2019
Source: clbadfmonline.com
2019-02-08
Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku, said the Kintampo waterfall was a haven for tourists and partygoers.
The waterfall was closed in March 2017 as a result of an accident resulting in the death of at least 18 people.
The dead, along with some 22 other seriously injured, were swimming at the foot of the waterfall when a tree fell on them after a first rainstorm in the area. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 19, 2017 around 16:30.
Fifteen of the deceased belonged to Wenchi Methodist High School and three from the University of Energy and Natural Resources.
The government set up a committee that investigated the disaster and made recommendations.
Speaking before Parliament on Thursday, February 7, 2019, following a presentation of the Disaster Report by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, Ms. Afeku said that all should feel safe to sponsor the waterfall.
The committee recommended the following:
1. An immediate afforestation exercise to improve the diversity of flora at the waterfall
2. Review of the management structures of the institution since it appeared that supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over after the party's victory in elections of 2016.
3. The introduction of public safety management and clearly defined emergency preparedness and coordination
4. The removal of loose rocks and those in potentially precarious positions at different stages of the fall
5. Redevelopment of the entrance to the main Techiman-Tamale highway
The Kintampo Waterfalls Directorate told Clbad News in September 2018 that security measures had been put in place to prevent a repeat of the disaster.
A manager said offices were built for managers and tour guides on the site.
In addition to the construction of new modern toilets, the cliff stairs used by party goers to reach the waterfalls have also been expanded to accommodate more people.
The police are also present all day on the site, while the project of building a canopy walkway is also underway.
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