�Ada Area Safe For Tourism�

The Ada East District Chief Executive, Mr John Nurudeen Ahortu, has described Ada and its environs including tourist attractions as safe locations. He said while growing up as a young boy in the area, the estuary attracted a good number of tourists and had always been safe for fun-seekers and lovers of nature. �Ada is safe. I grew up here and I still have fond memories of this area. I still remember the large number of people who came here and who still do all year round,� he said. Mr Ahortu�s assurance comes on the heels of the unfortunate incident that occurred two weeks ago when one of the popular hip-life artistes in the country, Castro, and one Janet Bandu allegedly drowned while riding on a jet ski. The two accomapanied Ghana�s football star, Asamoah Gyan, to a holiday resort in the area for leisure when the incident occurred. Since then, efforts at retrieving the bodies of the two have, so far, not been successful. River goddess? �The river at Ada is one that I know personally. Contrary to speculations about a god or goddess in the river who does whatever they claim, I am not aware of any such thing. They are mere fabrications,� he said. Mr Ahortu said the incident involving Castro and the lady was regrettable. He said he could not readily recollect the last time an incident like that happened in the area. Safety measures He stated that as part of efforts to enhance safety and security at the beaches, the various holiday resorts that had jet skis and other water-riding facilities had established digital tracking systems to trace the progress of the riders once they were deployed for use. The system, he said, would relay information on the riders to a data observation post on land so that in the event of any mishap, immediate rescue action would be sent out to save lives. Meanwhile, he said, it was imperative for tourists to abide by instructions regarding the use of facilities at the various resort centres. He said there was a tourist reception centre at Ada Foah which way the first stop for tourists to Ada to collect information about the various attractions in the area. The centre, he said, provided education on how to use the river and equipment needed by people in that regard. �At the centre, you will be provided with adequate information on the use of life jackets, tour guides and other support services,� he explained. Do the right thing �Before one goes on the river, there is the need to ensure that the right equipment has been acquired,� he said, adding, �Don�t speed too much with the jet ski. If you don�t know how to ride it ask for help or get someone to ride with you while you enjoy it,� he advised. Mr Ahortu said all the boats in use at the various resorts had been insured as part of the guidelines for operating such equipment as stipulated by the district assembly. He said just like road accidents, if one failed to obey the rules, accidents might occur. �At the end of the day, if we all obey the rules and instructions, we will all be safe,� he said.