Duasidan, a small farming community in the Dormaa Central Constituency of the Bono Region, is home to a unique attraction, the Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary.
Despite its potential to become a thriving tourist site, the sanctuary faces years of neglect, prompting its caretakers to plead for financial assistance from the government and other stakeholders.
The sanctuary, which houses a population of monkeys, has seen little to no government support for over 25 years.
According to Mr. Kwabena Kuma, the site’s custodian, their long-standing vision of transforming Duasidan into a tourism hub remains unrealized due to a lack of resources.
He lamented that caretakers receive no salaries or allowances, making it difficult to sustain their work and improve the sanctuary.
“We are committed to this place, but we cannot do it alone. If we get the needed support, Duasidan can attract tourists from across Ghana and beyond, generating revenue for the Dormaa Central Municipal Assembly,” Mr. Kuma stated.
Another caretaker, Mr. Kwabena Kyeremeh, popularly known as Bob, detailed the challenges of feeding the monkeys. He explained that the animals rely on maize, papaya, bananas, ripe plantains, and cassava.
However, due to financial constraints, he sometimes has to visit farms or households within Duasidan to collect food for them.
Mr. Kyeremeh also highlighted the inadequate infrastructure at the site. While a small shelter is under construction, there are no proper sleeping quarters for caretakers or visitors, nor any recreational facilities to enhance the experience for tourists.
The caretakers are therefore making a passionate appeal to the government, NGOs, and corporate bodies to invest in the sanctuary’s development.
They believe that with adequate funding, the Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary can be transformed into a major tourist destination, benefiting both the local community and the region’s economy.
