Nkroful (W/R), Nov. 1, GNA - Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, has said that benefits from tourism are woefully inadequate compared with Ghana's resources. "The abundance of resource endowed us has been undervalued and not developed to their full potential," he added.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said these at the commissioning of the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial facility at Nkroful, on Saturday. The facility was rehabilitated to include lavatories, septic tanks, an information office, souvenir shop, walkways, improved drainage and the provision of easy access for the physically challenged at a cost of 350 million cedis.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said under the second phase of the project, a museum and the original house of Dr. Nkrumah and other items he used would be on display.
He said the Ministry and its partners were implementing a five-year development plan to provide a road map to enable the country to attract over one million tourists by 2007.
"We will also encourage Ghanaians to travel within the country and improve on domestic tourism drive," he added.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said benefits of the development plan would include the creation of 300,000 direct jobs that would generate more than 1.5 billion US dollars annually.
The priority of the Government and her partners would be to develop all historical, ecological and cultural sites to preserve them to reduce poverty among the people.
He said the facility at Nkroful was expected to be an educational, research and investment centre for the benefit of the people of Nkroful and its environs.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said the Ministry was collaborating with the Nzema East District Assembly, the traditional authorities and the family of Dr. Nkrumah to ensure that the facility was well managed to create employment opportunities.
He said the rehabilitation of the facility was to promote it as an international monument of reverence and knowledge on the life and works of one of the Africa's greatest personalities.
Mr. Kojo Armah, Nzema East District Chief Executive, said the rehabilitation marked the beginning of a new era for the people of the district.
It would re-position the district and bring it closer to development and modernisation, he noted and said the facility could be used for retreats and conferences to minimise cost and expose the area to international investors and tourists.
Mr. Armah appealed to the Government to assist the extended family of Dr. Nkrumah, saying, "It is important that efforts are made to improve the living and economic status of that family."
Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, expressed the hope that the facility would attract investment and open up the area. He stressed the need for the people to contribute their quota to the development of the country and said this must be seen "both in works and deed".
Mr. Freddie Blay, MP for Ellembele, emphasised the need for Ghanaians to tolerate each other's views and commended the Government for rehabilitating the facility.
"This is only a token for the memory of Dr. Nkrumah whose greatness has still not been understood," he said.
The board would provide policy guidelines for the promotion and sustenance of small and medium scale business in and around the facility through entrepreneurial and skills development.
They include representatives of the Nkroful Traditional Council, the Assembly Member of the area, the Nzema East District Assembly, Ghana Tourist Board and the Ghana Tourist Development Company. Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said the Government was working hard to turn Nkroful into an international tourists destination through the development of the potentials of the area.
He said the Ghana Tourist Development Company would train people from the area as tour guides and the production of souvenirs and artefacts.
Mr. Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker and MP for the area, sworn the members into office. 1 Nov. 04
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