SADA supports wildlife, eco-tourism in savannah zone

The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has approved GH¢2,075,000 to support a five-year tourism marketing strategy with the aim of promoting the sustainable management of wildlife and eco-tourism in the savannah zone.

The strategy has been designed to make the savannah zone a tourism destination.

The savannah zone, comprising the three northern regions and parts of the Volta and Brong Ahafo regions, covers 54 per cent of the total land mass of the country but it contributes only 14 per cent of the national income.

In an interview with the  Daily Graphic in Wa, the Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Henry Yeleduor, said the tourism marketing strategy was also meant to guide SADA to explore ways of developing all tourist attractions in the savannah zone to international standards.

He called for strong collaboration among district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and investors in order to achieve that objective.

SADA’s objective

Mr Yeleduor explained that SADA’s objective was to ensure a conducive environment through the provision of basic infrastructure and social amenities such as accessible roads, potable water, electricity and telecom facilities to make life more comfortable for holidaymakers and tourists.

Subsequently, he said, 10 sites in the Upper West Region, noted for their high number of tourist visits throughout the year,  had been earmarked for development.

He said under the plan, roads leading to the tourist sites, particularly those in a deplorable state, would be improved to facilitate easy access to the sites.

Mr Yeleduor named some of the potential attractions in the region as the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, Wa Na’s Palace, Gbeele Game Reserve, the Gwollu Slave Defence Walls and the tomb of Dr Hilla Limann.

Work done

He also said with the collaboration of the GTA, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) had prepared some  brochures on some of the attractions, including the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary and the Wa Na’s Palace to help upgrade the attractions to international standard.

 A hippopotamus at the Wechaiu Hippo Sanctuary

Mr Yeleduor added that last year, for instance, the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, located at the extreme north-western part of the region, recorded 1,287 tourist visits and earned GH¢23,840. 

 He, therefore, urged the local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the tourist attractions and complement the GTA’s effort by being hospitable to the visitors.