Sanctuary for monkeys in Ghana village

The villagers of Tafi Atome in Ghana’s Volta Region grew up listening to tales of their spiritual links to the 1,000 or so mona monkeys that inhabit the surrounding lush forest.

But they have also turned that reverence into revenue, by making the cheeky primates part of an eco-tourist attraction that benefits both animals and locals alike.

Francis Acquaye, the manager of the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Cultural Village, said the monkeys and the forest were considered sacred until the 1980s, when the spread of Christianity eroded traditional beliefs.

The red, brown and white monkeys, which are found between Ghana and Cameroon, were soon hunted and trees were chopped down until the village became an eco-tourist attraction in 1996.

Now, thousands of people visit the sanctuary near the border with Togo each year. Some stay in the village to learn about rural life. The money earned has helped to build a health clinic, sink boreholes and renovate school buildings.

“People in the community treat the monkeys in a very friendly way just because of the benefits we derive from tourism,” Acquaye said. “Everybody supports what is here. So the monkeys are our friends, they are our brothers and sisters,” he added.

At the sanctuary, monkeys wait in the trees, watching a group of young visitors. When the bananas come out, so do the monkeys. Both tourist and monkey squeal with delight as the food is taken.

Melissa Fehr from Canada who is among the visiting group, is just as enthusiastic about the warm welcome extended to them by the villagers.

They all say ‘welcome’ to you, which is really cool,” she enthused. Villagers say they have never experienced or seen the monkeys attack.

Acquaye walks through the forest calling the monkeys with pursed lips. When they see the halved bananas in his hands, they bound over. And when people carry food on their heads, especially if it’s bananas or corn, they need to be wary, he said.

The Tafi Atome sanctuary is one of a handful of successful eco-tourism projects across Ghana that aim to protect the region’s culture and environment while providing resources to local communities.

Others include a hippopotamus sanctuary in the north of Ghana, guided hikes alongside waterfalls in the east and along the coast, turtle-watching tours are set up to conserve the endangered species.