Minstry of Tourism asked to promote Ghana abroad

The Ministry of Tourism has been asked to equip Ghana's missions abroad with books and graphical pictures of the country, to enable them to promote the country's tourist potentials.

This will ensure the influx of tourists thereby increasing the foreign exchange of the country for socio-economic development.

Mr. Tirso Dos Santos, Officer-in-Charge, UNESCO Cluster of Offices-Ghana, on Monday made the call at the launch of a book on Ghana’s Tourism Sites, “A Panorama of Ghana’s Heritage,” written by Professor James Anquandah, an Archaeologist at University of Ghana, Legon.

The 108-page book sponsored by UNESCO and the Spanish Embassy in Ghana, talked about the cultural sites in Ghana, traditional and cultural expressions, performing arts and traditional designs in the country.

Mr. Dos Santos commended the Spanish Embassy for translating the book from English to Spanish, to enable Spanish readers benefit.

“It is a skillfully crafted book with superb photographs and reader-friendly content and script which would suit the taste of Ghanaians and foreigners alike.

“As you will see in the book, these places depict the history, heritage, as well as the cultural and creative industries in Ghana.”

Professor Anquandah expressed disappointment at the rate at which some historical monuments, especially forts were disappearing along the country's coasts.

“We use to have a total of 80 forts across the country, but currently only 24 are left which is pathetic,” he said.

Professor Anquandah called on Government to invest in the rehabilitation of the forts, since they were national heritage and could rake in foreign exchange.

“It’s sad that even roads leading to these historic monuments are nothing good to write home about.”**