Boabeng(BA), July 16, GNA - About 500 Mona and 200 black and white monkeys inhabit the Boabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary in Nkoranza District of Brong-Ahafo, a research conducted by Canadian students has revealed. The Canadian students visited the twin communities last year to conduct a research into the origin of the sanctuary. Mr Anthony Dasah, Wildlife Division Officer and Supervisor of the sanctuary announced this when Mr James Kwabena Appiah-Awuah, Nkoranza District Chief Executive toured the sanctuary. He said eight communities formed the canopy of the sanctuary, namely Boabeng, Fiema, Akrudwa number one, Akrudwa number two, Busunya, Konkrompe, Senya and Yefri.

Mr Appiah-Awuah said the assembly would support the development and growth of the sanctuary to attract more tourists to the area. He warned that encroachers and poachers in the sanctuary would be arrested and prosecuted.

Mr Appiah-Awuah said Nkoranza-Boabeng-Fiema road would be rehabilitated to facilitate movement of tourists and residents. Nana Amoa Awua Ampong, Fetish priest of Daworo shrine at Boabeng disclosed that the animals were the offspring of two shrines, Daworo of Boabeng and Akudwo of Fiema. He said a cemetery had been created inside the sanctuary for the burial of the sacred animals an age-old tradition.