The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku, has said open defecation around the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles has assumed international attention, hinting that a name-and-shame approach will be used to curb the menace.
Catherine Afeku said the act could potentially affect gains in the tourism sector, and that all efforts will be used to end the practice in the Central Region.
“The name-and-shame portion will really help. If we had a digital billboard that showcased your uncle in that act for a week in the community, I think that every person would know that this is not the right attitude to see in Ghana”, she warned.
The Minister expressed the concern on Wednesday at Cape Coast and Elmina during her visits to the paramount chiefs of the two towns.
The visit was to mark the launch of an inter-ministerial task-force established to fight open defecation around the Cape Coast and Elmina castles.
She has also announced the Ministry’s latest strategy to turn the surroundings of the two Castles into busy entertainment spots to deter perpetrators.
The inter-ministerial task-force against open defecation around tourist centres, set up by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, will include support from the Special Initiative Ministry, traditional authorities, assemblymen and women, the involvement of celebrities, while the Museum and Monuments Board will see to its on-the-ground implementation.
The plan includes the provision of many toilet facilities around the castles that will be accessible to locals around them, after which perpetrators who will continue the act will be arrested and prosecuted.
In the Central Region, two of UNESCO Heritage Sites, the Cape Coast Castle and the Elmina Castle, have over the years had their surroundings polluted by acts of open defecation, a menace that has triggered sharp responses from the chiefs of the two historical towns of Elmina and Cape Coast.
On his part, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Cape Coast, has announced how his office has already liaised with the Cape Coast Police to begin a daily police monitoring around the Castle to ward off perpetrators of open defecation.
Nana Kodwo Konduah IV, the Paramount Chief of Elmina, has also announced that his dancers will be performing at the surroundings of the Elmina Castle on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays to boost entertainment there.
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By: Joseph Ackon-Mensah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana