Highlights of the 2017 budget for Creative art and Tourism sector

The Finance Minister Hon Ken Ofori-Attah last Wednesday delivered the 2017 budget of the Republic of Ghana on the floor of parliament.

Enewsgh.com brings you highlights of the budget for the Creative art and Tourism sector headed by Hon Catherine Afeku.

1. Speaker, Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts remains one of the most underdeveloped sectors in our economy despite the immense growth potential and opportunities for job creation.

2.When developed, the sector can positively impact the lives of many individuals, families, communities and small enterprises in our country and providing needed jobs for our teeming youth. Our objective is to transform the country into a major Meeting, Incentive Conference and Exhibition center (MICE). To facilitate this we will aggressively develop our tourist sites to bring them to world class standards.

3. In 2017, the Government will kick start the Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project covering the over 240 acres of land from Osu Christiansborg Castle to the Arts Center. This project will transform the beach area into a tourism enclave to create jobs for our teeming youth.

4. The Ministry will partner the private sector to develop the Efua Sutherland Park into an ultra-modern world class Park.Specifically for 2017, Mr. Speaker, we will use IT to promote and market tourism via the single portal window.

5.Speaker, the Ministry will also undertake a food festival to showcase the diverse rich Ghanaian foods through cooking competition throughout the country.