The Bunso Arboretum canopy walkway in the Eastern region has commenced operations seven months after it was closed down.

Management of the facility say they have received clearance from the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council to resume operations of the facility.

Manager of the site, Baffoe Peprah told Joy News correspondent, Kofi Siaw, in an interview that the facility is ready to admit patrons.

“The canopy walkway is set and we are back in operations. We have documents from the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Standards Authority and the Ghana Tourism Authority indicating that we can start full operations,” Peprah said.

At least 21 tourists who had gone to the Arboretum Centre on July 1, last year sustained various degrees of injury when one of the hooks at the extreme end of the walkway gave way.

Most of the injured were Junior High School (JHS) students who had gone to the facility to celebrate the completion of their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, after the incident, inaugurated a five-member committee of enquiry to investigate circumstances which led to the incident.

As Mr Preprh puts it, the investigations have been completed and the green light has been given for them to operate.

The refurbished walkway

“The Ghana Institute of Engineers have inspected and tested the materials used and they are fully convinced that the walkway can hold up to a certain weight and have approved operations of the walkway.”

He said although management will have a tough time winning back its lost customers, it intends to employ certain innovative ways to regain it lost glory.

He indicated that the facility will do a lot of media engagements to educated the public on the safety measures that have been put in place at the facility and how to make use of them. 

Preprah added that security agencies, like the Police and Fire Service will be involved and stationed at vantage points during holidays to prevent an incident like last year’s from recurring.

“Previously, it was only canopy walkway and nature walk, but now we are looking at variety so we are looking at adding an artificial swimming pool and horses within the year,” he promised.