Tourism centre to cover land from Osu Castle to Arts Centre
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is to develop the stretch of land from the Osu Castle to the Arts Centre in Accra into a world-class tourism centre.
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The Marine Drive Tourism Development Plan project is scheduled to begin this year.
When successfully implemented, the project will provide more than 1,000 job opportunities for the youth.
The sector minister, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the ministry would by June, this year, open the Accra Visitor Information Centre, a one-stop facility for information on tourism, culture and creative arts for tourists.
She was speaking at a retreat for directors of the ministry and heads of its implementing agencies to discuss the activities of the ministry for the year and how these could be implemented effectively.
Participants included representatives of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), National Commission on Culture (NCC), Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC), Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), National Theatre of Ghana,
Ghana Dance Company, Ghana Drama Company, National Symphony Orchestra and the Bureau of Ghana Languages.
Good year for ministry
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, would redesign the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra to enhance the implementation of tourist activities at the place.
“We are currently in talks with the Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Kojo Bonsu, to help us design something similar to Rattray Park in Kumasi,” she said.
The minister predicted that 2016 would be a year for the ministry since most of its projects would be implemented, and urged its agencies to work hard to make the ministry’s work successful.
Changes will be made
Presenting its programme and action plans for the year 2016, the Acting Executive Director of the National Theatre of Ghana, Mrs Amy Frimpong, said although the company was at the crossroads, so far as implementing its mandate and generating funds were concerned, it was expected to generate GH¢300,000 by the first quarter.
Mrs Frimpong also said the company would introduce new measures to increase revenue at the facility, such as putting up an electronic billboard so that organisations could advertise their programmes on the board at a fee.