Awutu Bewuenum (C/R), Sept. 23, GNA - The Kakum National Park collec= ted a total of GH¢390,334.50 as revenue in 2010 as against GH¢259,878.99 in 2009. Mr Alex Boakye, Manager of the Central Regional Ghana Tourist Board, said this at a meeting with members of the Community Bio-diversity Advisory Group (CBAG) at Awutu Bewuenum in the Awutu Senya District. He said the number of people who visited the park also increased 150,884 in 2009 to 180,379 in 2010, adding that they were mainly foreign nationals.

The CBAG members are tasked to assist in the protection of Akrabon Forest Reserves to enhance the development of ecotourism in the Winneba Forest District.

Mr Boakye appealed to the members CBAG to work harder to ensure the development of more ecotourism centres in the Central Region. Mr Ernest Nkansah-Kwarteng, Manager of the Winneba District Forest, said the Region would celebrate World Tourism Day at Awutu Bewuenum on 27th September.

He asked the members of CBAG to report people who enter the forest to undertake illegal activities and destroy the natural resources in the area. He appealed to the chiefs, assembly members, opinion leaders and stakeholders in the forestry protection to work as a team to help curb the illegal activities of chainsaw operators.

Mr Abraham Anakwah, Station Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service in Effutu, said activities such as bushfires had been reduced in the area. Mr Andrews Agyemkuhene, District Officer of the Wildlife, said Wildlif= e plays an important role in the national economy and asked the members to help protect such areas.