?1.5 bn voted for tourism in Upper West.

Wa, Sept 11, GNA - The Ministry of Tourism and modernization of the capital has voted about 1.5 billion cedis for the development of some key tourist attraction sites in the Upper West Region. Out of the figure, 600 million cedis would be used for the rehabilitation of the Gwollu slave defence wall, the tomb of the late Dr. Hilla Limann, President of the Third Republic and the development of the Palace museum.

Mr. William Ayambire, Upper West Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Board who disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Wa at the weekend said another 600 million cedis would be spent on the rehabilitation of the Ancient Palace at Wa, popularly known as the Wa Naa's Palace.

He said about 236 million cedis would also be spent on the renovation of the Nakore Ancient mosque and to provide visitor facilities at the site to attract more tourists to the centre.

Mr. Ayambire said work was also advanced on the building around the tomb of George Ekem Ferguson, one of the colonial leaders who fiercely resisted slave trade and slavery in the country.

The regional GTB manager said the development of the attractions would not only beautify the areas but also would also attract more tourists and subsequently provide jobs to the unemployed and generate revenue for the state. He said plans were also underway to develop the Mushroom ant-hills near Takpo in the Nadowli District, mushroom rocks at Wulling and slave caves at Nandom Boo and Dahili.

He however, appealed to estate developers to consider investing in the hospitality industry to provide tourists with comfortable accommodation facilities.

Mr. Ayambire also appealed to investors to legalize their operations to ensure harmony between the government and service providers in the country.