Explore Ghana initiative launched
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has appealed to social clubs, churches and schools to take advantage of the numerous tourist sites in the country.
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This she said, would boost the tourism industry, and educate members of society about the rich cultures of the country
She made these remarks when she launched an initiative, dubbed “Explore Ghana” in Accra to boost domestic tourism in the country.
“Explore Ghana”, which is supported by the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), also seeks to whip up the interest of Ghanaians in domestic tourism.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said in 2012, Ghana recorded 993,600 foreign tourists, with a corresponding value of US$1.704 billion.
She also stated that the tourism sector had created about 359,000 job opportunities and estimated that by 2027 Ghana would be receiving 4.3 million tourists, with the value of US$8.3 billion.
“Domestic or internal tourism can reinforce Ghanaians’ appreciation of our rich culture, heritage and natural endowments and foster national cohesion, unity and peace,” she said.
According to Mrs Ofosu-Adjare the movement of tourists around the country could help create income-earning opportunities for residents of rural communities and alleviate poverty through the sale of art and craft materials.
In its efforts at making tourist sites accessible, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the government was ensuring the construction of the Fulfuso-Damongo road into a first-class asphaltic road to make the Mole National Park accessible.
She urged institutions such as non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and traditional authorities to actively get involved in the development and promotion of tourism in their districts.
A member of the Council of State, Mr John Martey Newman, who chaired the event, advised the leadership of the ministry to collaborate with other ministries to ensure that the requisite infrastructure was provided for a vibrant tourism sector.