Police and GTB collaborate to enforce law on tourism

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and Ghana Police Service are collaborating to enforce laws on tourism development in the country.

As a first step, they are to set up a special taskforce to ensure al= l tourism facilities operate within the confines of the law regulating the industry in Ghana. It will be headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police John Kudalor, Director General of Police Operations.

This was the outcome of discussion held between the Board and Management of GTB led by Mr Julius Debrah, Executive Director and the Pol= ice Administration led by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Qua= ye in Accra. This was contained in a statement issued by the GTB on Tuesday and signed by Mr Ben Ohene-Ayeh, Public Relations Manager.

They agreed that with effect from next year, the police at any given=

time could call at any hotel, restaurant, drinking bar, travel and tour outfit or 'chop bar' to inspect their operating licences and offenders prosecuted. It said the enforcement of law would now become a regular feature instead of the current intermittent nature which allowed most recalcitran= t operators to flout the law with impunity. The meeting agreed to ensure the safety and security of tourists at attraction sites and all tourism plants.

As a result, the Police Administration has sent the first batch of police personnel to Egypt to study tourism policing.

It is a cooperation agreement between Ghana and Egypt to help mainta= in the safety and security of tourists at Ghana's attraction sites and facilities, to make the country competitive in world tourism.

The statement said Ghana's tourism was now making serious in-roads into the international arena due to the aggressive marketing efforts initiated= by tourism authorities and the acknowledgement of the country as a peaceful and acceptable destination in the West Africa sub region.

"This special posture has led to a massive improvement in the count= ry's external image hence the need for tourism service providers to live up to=

expectation by improving service delivery and operate within the confines= of the law," it said.