Tourism will take new paradigm - Tourism Minister

The Minister of Tourism, Mr Awal Mohammed has assured that tourism under his tenure would see a paradigm shift to make the sector the leading contributor to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The tourism and hospitality sector, he said is currently the fourth highest contributor to the country's GDP, but he is poised as directed by President Nana Akufo-Addo to make the sector number one before the end of his tenure.

Paying a courtesy call on the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin at Kyebi in the Abuakwa South Municipality together Deputy Tourism Minister, Mr Mark Okraku Mantey, Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong,  and the Eastern Regional Director of GTA, Mr Frederick Adjei-Rudolph as part of his visit to the Eastern Region last (Friday, July 2, 2021), indicated in his address that the ministry has began redevelopment of some existing tourist sites across the country as well as exploiting new sites to attract more international tourists, and also boost domestic tourism which would see at least one million Ghanaians visit various tourist sites across the country to increase revenue generation and GDP of the country.

Employment

Mr Mohammed said the tourism sector has the potential to create at least one million sustainable jobs, which is an upward adjustment to the existing 670,000 jobs created by the sector.

As part of the initiative to expand tourism to create jobs and revenue generation, he appealed to Okyenhene to propose two untapped tourist sites in Akyem Abuakwa State to be developed by the Ministry, and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council as part of the drive for the expansion of domestic tourism.

Development and Preservation of Nature

The Okyenhene urged to the Minister of Tourism to remain focus and do well to leave behind physical developmental structures which his tenure and that of the president can be remembered for.

He agreed with the President's vision to make the sector the number one contributor to Ghana's GDP, stating that it is achievable if the right structures are put in place and investment are made to develop the tourist sites like other foreign countries.

On proposition of tourist site, he urged the Tourism Minister to take advantage of the richness of the Atiwa Forest in different wild life species to construct a national park in the forest, which should also contain a museum that projects the rich culture, history and artefacts of Okyeman.

He also appealed for Investment at the Bunso Eco Park for the expansion and marketing of other facilities to attract international tourists in order to expand revenue generation capacity for the country.