Minister Orders Closure Of Bunso Aboretum Tourist Site

The Eastern Regional Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, has ordered the immediate closure of the Bunso Aboretum tourist site in the Eastern region.

Twenty people sustained severe injuries when the canopy walkway at the site collapsed yesterday.

He gave the order when he visited the area to have first hand information on what actually happened.

The managers of the facility claimed that the revellers accessed the walkway without their knowledge . They said access to the facility was closed at 5 pm and the incident happened at 6 pm .

But Mr . Antwi Boasiako - Sekyere is unconvinced . He told the media the explanation offered by management was “ unsatisfactory ” .

The victims were having tickets that granted them access to the walkway , the Minister observed , noting that the temporary closure of the facility is to pave way for safety audits to be conducted on the canopy .

“ When I went and met the management of the place , from their explanation I saw that there was a security lapse, and also some safety standards which were not up to standard ,” Mr . Antwi Bosiako Sekyere said .

Baffoe Peprah, the facility ’s site manager , told Joy News they will work around the clock to get the canopy fixed within one week .

“ We will then notify him ( minister ) of the completion and then he will give us the green light to start operation ,” he said .

He conceded that some of the victims had valid tickets and were being supervised by two of his tour guides even after they had closed the walkway for the day.

However , he explained, whilst the revellers were at the recreational centre, some unauthorised persons climbed the canopy on the blind side of the security.

Mr . Baffoe said attempts by a tour guide to stop the people were ignored so their presence brought undue pressure on the canopy which finally gave in.

Meanwhile, the injured are responding to treatment at Hawa memorial hospital in Osiem, Tafo government hospital and Koforidua central hospital.