Wli Waterfalls To Get Facelift

The Wli Waterfalls in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region will by the end of the year have a 200-seater pavilion, washrooms and toilet facilities as facelift by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Mrs Catherine Afeku, sector Minister who cut the sod for the project on Monday, had weeks earlier visited the falls and expressed worry over insanitary conditions at the site and lack of recreational facilities, promising an upgrade as "soon as possible".

She said Government would continue to provide the necessary facilities, and called on chiefs and other local authorities to help attract more tourists with clean surroundings.

The Minister charged the project executioners to deliver quality, to meet demands of increasing traffic at the site.

Mrs Afeku said stakeholders were considering a second phase of the project, which would include a garden, camp site, and a children's playground.

She inspected the newly installed electronic payment system at the gate, and entreated stakeholders to ensure a complete migration to the platform for accountability and value for money.

Mr Henry Anyormi, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, relayed their gratitude to Government and the Tourism Ministry for adopting the Falls, and pledged their support to efforts towards its advancement.

He reiterated calls for rehabilitation works on roads leading to the site.

Mr Richard Ofori of Process Construction Limited said the estimated GH¢200,000.00 project included a 12-seater toilet with shower facilities, changing rooms with storage cabinets, a pavilion, as well as about 50 park benches dotted around the site.

Mr Robert Agbeli, Assembly Member for Wli Electoral Area, said the economic potential of the falls was evident in the number of hospitality facilities springing up in the area, and noted that an increasing number of tourists preferred homestay accommodation.

He however lamented the plight of communities in the area, saying they lacked potable water, sanitary and health facilities, and called on stakeholders to help fill in the gaps.

Mr Teddy Ofori, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, said a Tourism Development Committee had been established by the Assembly and would work towards improving access, security and leisure at tourist sites.

GNA
By Samuel Akumatey, GNA