Conference on Kintampo Waterfalls held

Kintampo (B/A) Sept.1 GNA - A one-day stakeholders Workshop on the Kintampo Waterfall land use plan was held at Kintampo in the Brong-Ahafo Region on Wednesday.

The workshop was part of activities by the Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City and Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) to sensitize stakeholders and communities on tourism development. About 50 participants made up of chiefs, Assembly Members, Heads of Departments, Journalists and other stakeholders in the Kintampo North district attended the workshop.

They discussed the draft land use plan prepared by the Kumasi-based IFM Environment and Development (IFMED) Consultancy in collaboration with the Ministry, GTB, Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and other donor agencies.

Mr. Martin Mireku, Acting Executive Director of GTB said the workshop would discuss collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop, promote and market tourist sites for the benefit of communities.

Mr. Mireku said participants would engage in a thorough debate, discussion or deliberation on a master plan that would guide the development, management and promotion of the waterfall on sustainable basis.

He announced that the Ministry and GTB had terminated the Contract on the construction of a receptive centre at the Waterfall for unduly delaying the project.

It has been re-awarded to a new contractor. Mr. Awudulai Razak, District Chief Executive for Kintampo North commended the Government for the promotion of the Kintampo Water Fall to a higher level to enhance the image of the town and people. Mr. Larry Atippoe, a representative of the Netherlands Development Organisation said as a development partner the organisation would continue to assist the people to improve on their living standards. Dr. Isaac Frimpong Mensa-Bonsu, of the IFMED Consultancy briefed participants on the land use plan of the Waterfall that included a children's playing ground, canteen, craft shop, citrus farm and flower farm.

Others are concrete barriers and seats, donkey stable, entertainment, office, internet, toilet facilities, guesthouse, hotel and public reserved space.

Mr. F.O. Boateng, Brong-Ahafo Regional Co-Ordinating Director asked the participants to arrive at concrete decisions on the plan and its implementation.

Kintampo is on record as the first town in Ghana to have a military barracks, European cemetery and the Kuunsu Slave Market.