Minister directs all District Assemblies to acquire land banks

Wa, May 14, GNA - Mr. Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister at the weekend directed all the District Assemblies in the Region to acquire land banks to encourage strategic investors and reduce their burdens in land acquisition and documentation.

"Let me assure all potential investors in the tourism industry that the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council will work closely with our Traditional rulers and landowners to assist them to acquire land for this purpose".

Mr. Dery, who was addressing the 7th annual Regional Tourism Awards Night at Wa on Saturday said the acquisition of land banks would not only facilitate the activities of investors, but would also develop the region and create more jobs for the unemployed youth.

He mentioned for example that there were some slave sites in the Region that were yet to be harnessed and urged the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Affairs to team up with the regional coordinating council to research and develop those sites.

Mr. William Ayambire, Regional Manager of Ghana Tourist Board appealed to proprietors in the tourist industry to consider organizing regular refresher courses for their staff to ensure quality service to the customers.

He also urged them to conduct regular surveys and feedback programmes to find out the concerns of their customers in order not loose them due to poor services among others.

Mr. Ben Ohene Aryeh, Public Relations Officer of Ghana Tourist Board who read the speech of the Acting Executive Director of GTB urged the people of the region to develop their tourist sites and festivals that would encourage visitors to patronize their services to reduce poverty in the region.

He said under the new Tourist investment law, there would be tax holidays for individuals and organizations that were investing or promoting tourist activities in the country and urged businessmen and women to capitalize on the offer to better their lots.

In all, all the seven award winners were each presented with a plaque, certificate, and products of Guiness Ghana Brewery Company Limited.

Wa Controller Guest House won the Guest House of the Year, While Ideas Canteen in Lawra and Abuyama Chop Bar won the restaurant of the year and traditional Caterer of the year respectively. Tenic Monic Drinking spot in Tumu won the drinking bar of the year, while Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary and Mr. Abudu Yussif of the Gwollu Bonesetters center won Visitor attraction of the year and attraction site guide of the year. In-service Training Centre at Wa won the Budget Hotel of the year.