Ministry launches domestic tourism
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts launched an initiative dubbed, “Explore Ghana”, in Accra yesterday to boost domestic tourism in the country.
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“Explore Ghana”, which is supported by the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), also seeks to inculcate the interest of domestic tourism in Ghanaians.
Statistical summary
Launching the initiative, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said in 2012, Ghana recorded 993,600 foreign tourists, with a corresponding value of US$1.704 billion.
According to Ms Ofosu-Adjare, 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.
She said 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.
“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.
Benefits of tourism
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.
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“We are confident that, together, we can bring Ghanaians and Ghanaian residents to explore beautiful Ghana to realise the desired socio-economic benefits,” she added.
Collaboration of institutions
A member of the Council of State, Mr John Martey Newman, who chaired the event, advised the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to collaborate with other ministries to ensure that the requisite infrastructure was provided for a vibrant tourism sector.