District Assemblies urged to develop tourist sites

Anaji (W/R), Oct. 3, GNA- Mr Ebenezer Aryeequaye Hammond, Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), on Tuesday called on the District Assemblies to identify and develop tourist sites in their areas.

He made the call at a one-day workshop on tourism, organised by the Board for selected Information Officers of the Information Services Department (ISD) and media personnel at Anaji near Takoradi. Mr Hammond said there were many tourist sites in the districts that the assemblies could develop to attract tourists. He said the assemblies should make the identified sites accessible, provide information about them and enhance their immediate environment to attract tourists.

Mr Hammond said tourism is accorded low priority by investors because of the lack of knowledge about its purpose and benefits. He said tourism also creates international and cultural understanding and peace and that it also contributes towards the economy through job creation, tax revenue and foreign exchange earning. Mr Hammond said the promotion of tourism should be the collective responsibility of the public especially the media. He advised against defecation at the beaches and other tourist sites. Mr Joseph Kojo Adoko, Regional Information Officer, said the ISD has offices in seven out of the 13 districts in the region and that efforts were being made to open offices in the remaining six districts. 3 Oct. 07