GNATLAS TO HOLD NATIONAL CONFERNCE IN KUMASI (PAGE 40)

THE Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary in the Wa West District in the Upper West Region realised GH¢19,215.30 as revenue last year.
It also received a total of 1,815 visitors within the same period.
The acting Upper West Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), Mr Kwame Gyasi, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Wa.
He said during the first quarter of the year, the sanctuary generated revenue of GH¢9,036.90 from total arrivals of 609. Mr Gyasi said the sanctuary recorded its fourth highest growth rate in visitors arrivals, registering an average annual growth rate of 35.8 per cent between 2002 and 2004.
He said in 2004, 1,580 visitors patronised the sanctuary.
The Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary is the gateway to the protected area of the Wechiau community and is about 50 kilometres west of Wa, the regional capital.
Apart from the hippopotamus, the sanctuary is home to monkeys, bats, antelopes and colourful insects. Snakes and lizards are also commonly spotted in the sanctuary.
According to Mr Gyasi, the sanctuary has become a “must-see” area on the tourism map of the country.
He was optimistic that this year’s revenue would be higher than the previous ones.