Gizo calls for collaboration in developing tourist sites

Aburi (Eastern Region) 22 April 

The Minister of Tourism, Mr Mike Gizo has called for a more effective collaboration and co-ordination among government sectors to enhance the pace of development of tourist centres.

The Tourism Ministry has the technical expertise to advise on adding value to tourist sites, but does not have the capital needed to develop these attractions.

In some cases, the Minister pointed out, the sites fall outside its domain.

Mr Gizo on a tour of the Eastern Region on Wednesday, stressed the need to add value to tourist sites and charge commercial rates to enable the country to reap maximum dividends from the industry.

Places he visited included the Papaye Tourist Village at Konkonuru, Aburi Botanical Gardens (ABG) and the Little Acre Hotel, also at Aburi.

He was not happy about the lack of maintenance at some of these places, and added that while government was prepared to develop the infrastructure, these sites must be made to generate enough revenue to meet operational costs.

Efforts would be made to rehabilitate the roads and pavements at ABG and asked the management to be more commercial oriented since it is the second oldest national park in Africa after Morocco's.

Mr Theophilus Agbovi, the curator at the gardens disclosed that 65,000 visitors were recorded last year.

Management is in the process of planting 20 hectares with indigenous trees to replenish some of the near extinct trees in the country, he added.

At the Aburi Industrial Centre, Mr Gizo assured the workers of the government's intention to build a craft village at the centre.