Currently, the facility is undergoing its first phase of rehabilitation, which is expected to be completed by the end of September 2017.

This came to light during a stakeholders meeting at the waterfalls which was meant to assess and review the ongoing rehabilitation work.

Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation work at the facility, which includes the construction of an additional staircase in addition to the existing one, is progressing steadily.

Included in the new staircase is a platform which will provide patrons with a clear view of the waterfalls and enable them to take selfies.

This staircase is also being constructed in a way to make it easier for visitors to descend to the waterfalls.

Work on a new changing room is also at the lintel level.

Patrons are also expected to see the waterfall’s new look when it is finally reopened to the public because the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has contracted the Department of Parks and Gardens to beautify the environment.

New summer huts are being constructed in addition to the rehabilitation of the washrooms among other facilities.

Also under construction is a Ticketing and Gate House, which will be the first port of call to all visitors.

The facility is expected to have a beautiful entrance and a spacious car park befitting the international stature of the Kintampo Waterfalls.

Work on the staircase and the changing room just near the waterfall is being undertaken by the 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Stakeholders meeting
Representatives of the (GTA), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akwasi Agyeman; the Kintampo Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities, security agencies, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Department of Parks and Gardens and SADA, among other contractors undertaking the rehabilitation work, were at the facility last Monday to assess the progress of work.

Briefing the stakeholders, Mr Agyeman said the facility was initially expected to be reopened to the public in September but variations in the contract required that contractors should be given an additional time.

He explained that the rehabilitation work had been segmented into three, by the end of which the facility would meet the required standards.

Mr Agyeman said the first phase, involving the construction of a new staircase, reception and beautification, would be completed by the end of September, after which a date would be scheduled by the GTA for the facility to be reopened to the public.

He said the second phase would bring in new investors for the construction of shops and hotels to open up the place.

The Chief of Kyeremankoma, on whose land the facility is located, Nana Effah Guakro, commended the GTA and the contractors for the excellent work done so far.

“I am positive that by the end of October, the Kintampo Waterfalls will bounce back”, he said, and promised that the traditional authority would collaborate with the GTA and the Kintampo Municipal Assembly towards the proper management of the waterfall.

The Project Officer, Captain Simon Adonawra of the 48 Engineering Regiment, gave an assurance that the first phase of the rehabilitation work would be completed on schedule to enable the facility to be reopened to the public.

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Source: Graphic Online

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The facility was closed down for months, after a disaster at the venue killed about 20 people and injured 20 others.

Responding to questions in Parliament, the Sector Minister, Catherine Afeku, said: “Mr. Speaker, it is anticipated that work will be finalized by reopening this great fall on the 1^st of September 2017, all things being equal.”

Publish full details on Kintampo Waterfalls disaster

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS), wants the Tourism Ministry to publish the full details of its Safety Audit Report on the disaster.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jo0C6cGHQsbbHmArVvSQyVEJ2RNnyClX”]Catherine Afeku revealed on the floor parliament on Tuesday that, the Safety Audit team assessing  the incident listed poor supervision and the dereliction of public safety responsibilities, among others, as contributors to the tragedy.

Speaking to Citi News on the Safety Audit assessment, the Executive Director of the Public Safety, Davidson Akwada, said the report if made public, will create the awareness on the need to enforce safety regulations at tourist sites.

“We are asking the Minister to shift the paradigm and make this report public so that we can all look at what happened on that day and understand what should be done and what should not be done.”

Invisible Forces didn’t seize Kintampo Waterfalls 

Meanwhile, Madam Afeku has denied the seizure of the Kintampo Waterfalls by the Pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) vigilante group, Invisible Forces, in the moments leading to the tragedy.

The Chief of Kyeremankoma, had alleged that tour guides at the waterfall were sacked by some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), few months after the party came into office.

The Minister on Tuesday stated that the Municipal Assembly was firmly in control of the facility contrary to reports that the vigilante group had taken over the site without the requisite expertise to manage the facility.

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By: Marian Ansah & Felicia Osei /citifmonline.com/Ghana
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“As a party, we believe the disaster that claimed about 20 lives, mostly students of Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, and left many others injured could have been avoided if the nation’s leadership had a firm grip on the affairs of state and institutions,” the party said in a statement.

About 19 students died on Sunday when a tree fell on them when they were swimming in the pond underneath the waterfall amidst a rainstorm.

[contextly_sidebar id=”P7stLFzKIJL9WyE4P2bqP2af6a7SVx7F”]The Chief of Kyeremankoma, Nana Effah Guarkuro after the incident lamented that the original tour guides at the place were sacked by some persons believed to be supporters of the NPP weeks before the tragic incident.

The party has thus challenged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to bring persons who allegedly took over the administration of the waterfalls without prior authorization to book.

“…It has turned out that the invincible forces had seized the falls and sacked the professionals who were managing the facility following the regime change in the December 2016 elections. If the sacked professionals were in charge of the facility, they would have been charged for negligence of duty,” the PPP added in a statement signed by its Communication Director, Paa Kow Ackon.

The PPP in the statement further said “we want the NPP led government to show leadership by bringing the managers of the facility to book for their negligence.”

Arrest and prosecute them

The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) had earlier called for the arrest and prosecution of the alleged NPP supporters who forcefully took over the management of the Kintampo Waterfalls.

Below is the full statement from PPP:

PPP SYMPATHIZES WITH FAMILIES OF KINTAMPO WATERFALL DISASTER

The Progressive People’s Party is saddened by the loss of innocent lives at the Kintampo waterfalls in the Brong Ahafo region and wishes to extend its condolences to the affected families.

As a party, we believe the disaster that claimed about 20 lives, mostly students of Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, and left many others injured could have been avoided if the nation’s leadership had a firm grip on the affairs of state and institutions.

We are aware that the group “Invincible Forces”, is an informal organization within the ruling NPP administration. Many intra and inter party disturbances have been traced to the door steps of this informal group.

Their involvement in the seizure of state vehicles, public installations such as toll booths, public toilets, markets, lorry parks, district assemblies, health insurance offices, passport office etc, are well known.

The NPP’s Acting National Chairman and Deputy General Secretary have been key supporters of the invincible forces. They have openly defended some of their condemnable actions. But unfortunately, last Sunday, disaster struck at the Kintampo Water Falls.

It has turned out that the invincible forces had seized the falls and sacked the professionals who were managing the facility following the regime change in the December 2016 elections.

If the sacked professionals were in charge of the facility, they would have been charged for negligence of duty.

Now that it has been confirmed that the Invincible Forces were in charge and have actually been paying proceeds of their operations to the Vice Chairman of the NPP in the Brong Ahafo region, who will the state hold responsible for the tragedy?

Will the NPP leadership be rule of law compliant enough to let the law deal with their lawless informal invisible forces? We believe leadership is cause, and everything else is the effect. To that end, we want the NPP led government to show leadership by bringing the managers of the facility to book for their negligence.

Anything short of this will send the wrong signals and confirm abundant suspicion that leadership is lacking in our national affairs.

SIGNED
Paa Kow Ackon
Communication Director

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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“Arrest and prosecute all persons who forcefully took over the management or facilitation roles of the Kintampo Waterfalls without proper authorization,” a statement signed by Public Affairs Manager at BPS, Etornam Korda added.

[contextly_sidebar id=”tw6ELnKRpGKO7in7Mj2NDALXAgfaTxzj”]Some 19 students lost their lives while scores of others were injured on Sunday when a tree fell on them when they were swimming in the pond underneath the waterfall amidst a rainstorm.

Following the reports, the Chief of Kyeremankoma, Nana Effah Guarkuro, lamented that the original tour guides at the place were sacked by some persons believed to be supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) weeks before the tragic incident.

The Bureau of Public Safety in the statement further called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The Bureau also backed the closure of the Kintampo Waterfalls, and wants same done for other major tourist sites which do not have adequate safety assessment in the country.

“Close the Kintampo Waterfalls and all major tourist sites across Ghana, which have not undergone a comprehensive safety cum risk assessment in the last 12 months to the public for an in depth audit and risk assessment to be conducted by competent professionals.”

Kintampo waterfalls closed down indefinitely

The Kintampo waterfalls tourist site in the Brong Ahafo Region has been closed down indefinitely, following Sunday’s incident that claimed the lives of 19 students.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, explained that the closure is to enable thorough security and safety checks at the site.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Arrest ‘NPP thugs’ who took over Kintampo Waterfalls – Public Safety Bureau appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

At least 18 persons were confirmed dead after a huge tree run off the top of the waterfall, and descended unto the dozens of revelers swimming beneath the fall.

The incident is the most catastrophic domestic tourism accident in Ghana in the last few years.

The former President in a Facebook post on Monday said, “I am keeping the families of the Kintampo falls victims in mind and praying for them. Please comfort their families and pray for them. Let’s also ask the almighty God to heal the injured and receive the souls of the departed into his kingdom.”

In a separate post on Twitter, John Mahama described the incident as “tragic”, and called for support for all the affected families.

“Very sad news of tragic deaths at the Kintampo waterfalls. Sincerest condolences to families of the victims,” Mr. Mahama posted.

Among those confirmed dead were students of Wenchi Senior High School, and the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).

The Kintampo Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, told Citi News 17 bodies have so far been retrieved from the water.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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