Art Village must be kept clean

Accra, Aug 15, GNA- The Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr Emmanuel Victor Hagan on Saturday called on sellers at the newly created Art Village of the Shangrila Hotel to try and attract tourists to their shops by keeping their surroundings clean, secured and inviting. He reminded them not to create any bad feeling in their shop and provide whatever the tourists might need.

Mr Hagan was speaking as the Guest of Honour during the official opening Art Village in Accra.

He warned the sellers not to take advantage of exploiting the tourists by fixing very high prices on goods they sell at the Village.

He said Ghana as a preferred tourist destination stand to benefit immensely in term of foreign exchange in the Arts and Craft Business. Mr Hagan reminded Ghanaians that in 2007, Ghana would be celebrating its 50th Independence Anniversary and called on Ghanaians to make that day a memorable occasion since a large number of tourists would join Ghanaians in the celebration.

Chairman of the Commission on National Culture, Professor George Hagan unveiled the signboard of the Village while Mr Hagan cut the sod to formally declare the shop open.

The Village has 29 smaller shops, which display woodcarvings, African beads, Kente and Tie & Dye clothing, Pottery, Leather works and African paintings.

In a welcoming address, Ms Teddy Ofori, on behalf of the Manager of Shangrila Hotel, said it was their vision to promote Art and Culture in Ghana by exposing the rich culture of the country and called on other hotels in Ghana to emulate them.