Government is committed to tourism development – Barbara Oteng-Gyasi

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, has described Ghana’s traditional festivals to be one of the main drivers of an initiative to grow Ghana’s tourism sector.

Hence, she reiterated the government’s support to tourism development and the need for the various communities and assemblies to team up with the Tourism ministry and its agencies to identify it’s potentials to help boost the economy through tourism.

Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi stated that currently, tourism happens to be the fourth biggest foreign exchange earner for our nation, therefore, with hard work and the exploration of more avenues in the tourism sector; it can be boosted and become the second biggest foreign exchange earner of our country. This according to the Hon. Minister will boost our economy and improve most tourism sites and attractions in the country.

Honorable Barbara Oteng-Gyasi talked about the tourist sites in Ghana and urged Ghanaians to visit these sites to help boost domestic tourism. She emphasized on the See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana initiative which helps create jobs for people as we purchase and patronize our products locally to help push tourism upfront.

Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi made these known at a durbar held by the Chiefs and people of Kwabre East, to mark the end of this year’s Kwabre Anwenee Kente festival which was premise on the theme, “The Year of Return, exploiting our creativity for unity and development.

The festivities took place over a period of seven days, at Mamponteng, which is the capital of the Kwabre East municipality, in the Ashanti Region. The Hon. Minister represented the Chief of Staff, Hon. Frema Osei Opare who was engaged in other equally important national assignments.

The Kwabre East Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Nana Osei Asibbey Bonsu instituted the Kwabre Anwenee festival last two years to enable the people in the area, mainly weavers and woodcarvers to showcase their products to the world.

Previously the festival was celebrated individually by indigenes of the community which was not beneficial because they were unable to attract tourists, but since the situation has changed within this past 2 years, it has boosted the community’s tourism potential.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah commended the people of Kwabre for their efforts in preserving the designs of Kente and the rich culture of Ashanti. Two thousand (2000) Kente designs were unveiled at the Kwabre Anwenee festival.

Mr Simon said, in order to improve productivity in the Kwabre East Municipality, the government has awarded contracts for the construction of roads which will help in the various activities within the community. He also made known the intentions of government in setting up facilities to train Kente weavers in Kwabre and its neighbouring communities.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Tove Degnbol was made the Queenmother of Kwabre. She was elated and commended the chiefs and people of Kwabre and made emphasis on the strong ties between Ghana and Denmark. She also talked about the upcoming relationship between Danish companies and Ghana’s stakeholders.

The program witnessed many dignitaries like: H.E Tove Degnbol (Denmark Ambassador to Ghana), Hon Maxwell Kofi Jumah (CEO of GIHOC), Hon Eugene Antwi (Deputy Minister of Works and Housing and M.P for Subin ), Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah (MP, Kwabre East), Hon. Nana Osei Asibbey Bonsu (MCE, Kwabre East), Assembly members, Nananom amongst others.