Tafi-Atome (Volta Region) 25th June 99 -

Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta Regional Minister has advised the people of Tafi-Atome to stop killing monkeys at the sanctuary located in the community for food, saying "this will mean killing the hen that lays the golden eggs".

Alhaji Iddi, on a familiarisation visit to the sanctuary on Tuesday, urged the people to protect and develop the monkey sanctuary to enhance its potential as a tourist attraction.

He assured the people of government's assistance and advised them to send their children to school to complement government's efforts at raising falling standards in education.

Madam Erin Schmalz, a Peace Corps volunteer at the sanctuary, said the population of the monkeys have increased tremendously to more than 200 as against 100 in 1994.

She said 900 people visited the sanctuary last year but indicated that the figure for January to May this year have outstripped that of the same period last year.

GRi?/