Accra residents say jubilee is behind schedule

Accra, Jan 12, GNA - A cross-section of Accra residents said on Friday the celebration of Ghana's golden jubilee is 24 months behind schedule.

The residents randomly interviewed by Ghana News Agency expressed apprehension about the level of preparations towards the nation's golden jubilee commemoration with the climax on March 6.


Most residents told the GNA, the programme should have started two years ago to be climaxed in the jubilee year with particular emphasis on Independence Day.


Activities such as the greening Ghana agenda should have been achieved by now, trees and flowers should be blossoming along the lanes, streets and highways especially on ceremonial streets, and vibrant lectures, debates, concerts and other entertainment programmes should have been underway to whip up enthusiasms.


Mr Eric Owusu-Ansah, a Marketing Consultant, expressed disquiet about the arrangements starting the celebration from the high point of March 6th and dwindling down the months to the end of the year.


"I stand for corrections but I believe that we miss the opportunity to hype the jubilee fever months ago which would have psyche up the international community and local folks for the climax on Independence Day.

"But, unfortunately the attitude of last minute preparation and procrastination took the better part of the brainstorming period as well as the playing of politics with the national agenda," he said. Ms. Gifty Nibunu an Insurance Underwriter at North Kaneshie called for rapid response initiative to redeem the jubilee agenda. She appealed to the Ghana@50 Committee to engage stakeholders, especially those in the hospitality industry to market the programme.


Ms Victoria Antwi, a Gender Advocate simply put it, 93Ghanaians are in the dark as to the detailed activities, the committee needs to come out immediately to provide us with general information."


Mr. Yousef Shahin, General Manager of the New Coco Beach Hotel called on the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations and the Ghana@50 Secretariat to liaise with operatives in the tourism sector for the adoption of a strategic agenda for the celebration.


"We need to be offered some form of incentives and jubilee packages to ensure that we are capable of sustaining interest in the whole celebration."


Mr Shahin urged the two establishments to immediately organise a familiarisation tour of hotels and tour operators to assess facilities and offer guidance, 93if possible, institute link-up strategies".

He said the friendly visits would boost the morale of hotel operators to prepare adequately in providing excellent services to tourists.


"There should be some form of incentives for the public sector to live up to expectations," he added.


He said with less than two months to the celebrations the government has not been able to provide any concrete programme line up to help them prepare towards the big occasion.


Mr. Shahin said despite these shortfalls on the part of the Ghana@50 Secretariat his establishment was preparing adequately towards the occasion.


He said the hotel had already received some bookings from some organizations and individuals and was looking forward for more and management had put in place new structures and measures to ensure that clients were given quality services and products for their monies.