President Akufo-Addo (2nd from left) being assisted by Mohammed Awal (left), Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Samia Nkrumah (2nd from right), Ken Ofori-Atta (right), Minister of Finance, and King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (3rd from right), Ga Mantse, to inaugurate the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (top) in Accra. Pictures: SAMUEL TEI ADAN

Government to renovate historical sites - Tourism Minister reveals

Edith Mensah Showbiz News Jul - 05 - 2023 , 16:45

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Awal has revealed government's intention to give a significant overhaul to major historical monuments including museums, castles, and forts.

Dr. Awal said that the move formed part of government's commitment to making the country the most preferred tourist destination in Africa.

He underlined that modernising historical sites like the Osu Castle, National Museum, and other forts and castles will increase the appeal of tourism globally.

The minister highlighted the positive economic effects of tourism and predicted that the country could generate a staggering annual income of $6 to $7 billion.

He made this known at the official opening of the newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park financed at more than GH¢30 million in honour of Ghana’s first Republican President.

The minister who danced to some traditional tunes provided by the Ghana Dance Ensemble before his speech, said Ghana had its stronghold in heritage and political tourism, “and that is what we want to leverage to make Ghana the most attractive destination on the continent”.

He added that the Du Bois Centre, the Osu Castle and the forts and castles would be modernised and linked with the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to make the country the most attractive tourism destination in Africa.

Dr Awal noted that the target was for tourism to generate $6 billion per annum as well as 300,000 jobs within the same period.