Centre for National Culture's Sekondi Amphitheatre project takes off after 35 years break

Works on the Sekondi amphitheatre of the Centre for National Culture has begun after being stalled for 35years.

The project started in 1988 but faced a lot of challenges and was abandoned until recently.

However, about three months ago, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts started  working on the project again which is now estimated at the cost of  Ghc 45 million 

The project consist of a 2000.- seater auditorium, a craft village, a two - storey administration block, hostel and a fenced wall among others.

Inspecting progress of work on the project in Sekondi on Tuesday the Minister of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, said before the Centre Tender Review Committee conducted integrity test on the facility before it was rewarded on contract.

He said a number of amphitheatres were to be constructed in the northern and middle belts of the country to host events.

He lamented about the country’s lack of commitment to host global events hence the construction of a 20,000 - seater conference hall at the Ghana Trade Fair Centre in Accra in the Greater Accra Region 

According to Mr Mercer, despite negative comments by detractors, the government was committed to working for the betterment of the country.

For his part, the deputy Tourism Minister, Mark Okraku Mantey, enumerated the potentials of the creative arts industry, entreating Ghanaians to support the government in its efforts to develop the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, commended Mercer for his support in towards the tourism industry.

The acting Western Regional Director of the CNC, Reverend Stephen Ebo Kessie, regretted that the initial 23 - acre land designated had been encroached over the years and thanked government for commencing work on the project.