GIPC explores investment potential in tourism

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is looking to attract investment to boost the numerous tourist sites located across the length and breadth of the country.

Mawuena Trebarh, CEO of the GIPC noted that it is only natural that the Centre begins to look at the existence of some of the most important nature conservation sites in Ghana and the investment potentials they present.

“It is extremely important for us to recognize the investment and business potential that exists in these national treasures. Various tourism related opportunities are available to enhance and showcase these and many other similar sites,” she said.

Mrs. Trebarh was speaking at the launch of the National Exhibition of Nature Conservation in Ghana which showcased the existence and beauty of the Mole National Park, Akwamu Gorge and the Lake Bosomtwe to the investment community.

The exhibition is one in a series of engagements that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre is jointly undertaking with the Ghana Embassy in France and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.

Speaking on the topic “Importance of Investing in Nature Conservation Sites”, Mrs. Trebarh noted that it is worth noting that Ghana is blessed with an amazing variety of natural resources and scenic beauty and that there is the need to conserve these resources for present and future generations.

“The Mole National Park, the Akwamu Gorge and Lake Bosomtwe are three of the most important natural reserves in Ghana,” she said.

Mrs. Trebarh added that nature conservation can help preserve the biodiversity that attracts tourists, while providing economic benefits to the local and national economies.

To her, poverty reduction in the host community can be achieved if nature conservation is properly managed by attracting the right kind of investment in nature conservation. “A properly conserved site would increase tourist visits leading to increase demand for services such as transportation, hospitality tour guiding and rest-stops among others.”

She added that investing in nature conservation makes perfect sense because protected areas can play a strategic role in Ghana’s broader development plans. “We must understand that safeguarding the country’s diverse ecosystems is an efficient means of maintaining food and water security, creating jobs, sustaining livelihoods and providing a buffer from the worst of climate change impacts.”

She called for the incorporation of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into the national tourism development policy and strategies in order to bring social and economic benefits to host communities.

As part of the short to medium term strategy of the GIPC, Mrs. Trebarh said her outfit will focus on improving upon its operational efficiency, provide higher level services in accordance with best practices and with the aim of propelling Ghana to become the preferred investment and tourism destination in Africa.

Johanna Odonkor Svanikier, Ghana’s Ambassador to France and the Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, noted that as the nation’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, she was happy to see such an exhibition put up showing the nation’s rich natural heritage.

“Our natural habitat and cultural heritage are a unique and irreplaceable property we own and must be protected at all cost. They represent our collective identity and values which have been passed on from generations past.

“These practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills make up our way of life and the way we think, are objects of our socialization and nurturing, handed down from our forefathers.

“Our cultural heritage also contains our rich history, traditional wisdom, and the wealth of knowledge and skills that must be transmitted expertly to ensure future generations build on our achievements.

This heritage provides us with a sense of identity and we, as a people, continuously recreate this sense of belonging as we respond to our natural environment. Put simply, our natural and cultural heritage remains the truest connection to our roots,” she added.

She noted that to safeguard the nation’s natural and cultural heritage, Ghana needs to create awareness and appreciation for what it has and the need to protect it, but most importantly, share it with the world.

She warned that globally, the culture and natural heritage of many groups are increasingly threatened with destruction not only by the traditional causes of decay, but also by changing social and economic conditions.

“The social and economic value of protecting this heritage, cannot be over-emphasized for our nation, which has undergone several socio-political changes throughout its history. In this age of technology and innovation, there is the need to be in touch with our environment and our way of life. Let’s take advantage of this exhibition to remind ourselves of the blessings we have been endowed with as a country, let’s work towards preserving them for generations to come,” she urged.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Nii Osah Mills, noted that even though there has been some investment in developing the cultural heritage and nature conservation sites in the country, there is still the need for partnership with the private sector to develop them further in order to attract all categories of tourists.

“These resources provide huge investment opportunities in the areas of tented camps, eco-lodges, visitor reception facilities and safari facilities,” he said.

The Minister noted that what is most critical is how to protect these resources not only from the threats of deforestation and forest degradation but also, the consequent impacts of climate change.

“I believe that is a collective responsibility of all Ghanaians I solicit your support for government interventions geared towards the sustainable management and conservation of these resources,” he added.

Fun facts

Did you know that the Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest and most impressive National Park located in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region. The Park is renowned for its outstanding natural, and physical beauty and attractions and covers an area of 4,577 square kilometers in the northern part of Ghana. The park is home to some 742 vascular plant species and over 90 mammal species including five primate species. Species of conservation and tourist interest include a wide range of wild animals and over 3,000 bird species.

The Akwamu Gorge is yet another beautiful natural reserve in Ghana. It is an ungazetted forest located between Atimpoku and Akwamufie on the eastern side of the Volta River in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region. The hill on which the forest is located rises provides a rare panoramic view of the lower regions of the Volta River system. There are about 20 species of medium to large mammals including about five primates are known to occur in the community forest and adjoining areas. A total of about 150 bird species have been confirmed in the forest and the adjoining areas, with the globally threatened and enigmatic white-necked picathartes being the most significant amongst them.

Lake Bosomtwe. It is the only natural lake in Ghana and is situated within an ancient impact crater formed by an ancient meteorite strike in the Ashanti Region. The name means Antelope God because it is said to be discovered by a hunter chasing an antelope that disappeared into the lake like it was trying to save the animal. It is seen as taboo to use a regular dugout canoe or for metal or iron to touch the lake surface.