The Minister exchanging pleasantries with some of the guests
Catherine Abelema Afeku, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, has said the ministry is collaborating with key partners in the industry to roll out a number of projects intended to revamp Ghana’s tourism industry.
According to her, the government is determined to make the country a preferred destination in the sub-region.
At a ‘Meet The Press Series’ hosted by the Ministry of Information on Monday, she disclosed that tourism is the fourth foreign income earner for the country and cannot be left unattractive.
She mentioned that work on a world-class cocoa museum at Mampong- Akuapem in the Eastern Region is at a planning stage and sod-cutting for the project is slated for February 14.
The project, according to her, which is a public-private sector initiative, is primarily to encourage local consumption of cocoa.
“It will replicate life on a typical Ghanaian cocoa farm and take tourists through the processing of cocoa into a variety of products,” she underscored.
The minister mentioned the construction of a national hospitality facility dubbed ‘Akwaaba Hotels’ throughout the country which will provide first-class services but at affordable rates.
“In collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the ministry intends to market the Tema Golf Club and Tema Community One Presbyterian Church sited which has served as pilgrimage point for Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, among others,” she stated.
Other initiatives are the redevelopment of the Muni lagoon eco-tourism project and the marine drive tourism investment project in Accra.
She explained that the project will cover a land area of 215.7 acres stretching from Osu Klottey lagoon behind the Christianborg Castle to the Accra Community Centre.
According to the minister, the tourism enclave will comprise of hotels, malls, amphitheatre and restaurants.
“This project, to us, is a discovery since it has been on the drawing board since 1960 by the first president of Ghana,” she added.
On the achievements of the ministry, Madam Afeku paid glowing tribute to her predecessors for the celebration of the Chocolate Day in February 2017 under the theme ‘Love Chocolate Love Adventure’.
By Solomon Ofori