African-Canadians to explore investments

Accra, July 17, GNA - African-Canadians from Nova Scotia are in Ghana to reintegrate with their roots and explore investment opportunities as a way of contributing to development.

The group undertaking the "Connecting to Africa (CTA) Learning Project 2007" would present documents to investors such as the Black Business Initiative in Europe for consideration.

Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, on Tuesday told the group who paid a courtesy call on him, that their decision to come back home to assist in development was right.

He said it was in view of the importance Government attached to the contribution of Africans in the Diaspora that a portfolio of Diaspora Relations had been created to welcome them to share their experience.

Mr Baidoe-Ansah, who is the Minister of Trade and Industry-designate, said although Africans in the Diaspora had been separated from their roots, their ancestry remained the same and they should therefore be motivated by that fact to commit themselves to the development in Africa.

He said Ghana's tourism sector had various investment potentials and advised them to attend the ongoing meeting of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in Accra to learn more.

Mr Wayne Hamilton, leader of the delegation, said the group, which would be in Ghana for a month, would participate in the forthcoming PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations and continue with their mandate in Kumasi, Bolgatanga and other regions.

Commenting on hospitality of Ghanaians at the Kotoka International Airport, he said there was the need to provide more training in human relations for the staff as the first impression of Ghanaian hospitality. Mrs Bridget Kastriku, Chief Director of the Ministry, urged them to consider tourism transport as a lucrative area.

She said the Ministry was ready to assist the delegation with relevant documents on investment opportunities in the tourism sector to enable them to achieve their aim.