Cape Coast, June 20, GNA- Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, on Thursday presented two cheques, whose value was undisclosed, to the Oguaa Traditional Council, as its share of revenue accrued from operations at the Cape Coast castle in April and May this year, in Cape Coast. She said since April this year, revenue accrued from the castles and forts were being shared among the various stakeholders to facilitate the maintenance of the facilities as well as develop the areas in which they were located.
Mrs Sai-Cofie said 60 per cent of the total revenue would go to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, 15 per cent each to the traditional councils and district, municipal or metropolitan assembles, and 10 per cent to the Ministry. She said tourism remained a fast revenue generation sector of the country's economy, and the Ministry would formulate new polices to make the industry grow faster, Mrs Sai-Cofie said the forts and castles which attracted many tourists were the greatest attractions in the industry and the Ministry was targeting a revenue of about GH¢100.00 annually. She said the Ministry decided to share the revenue to make the stakeholders have a feel of ownership of the tourist sites and to maintain the facilities to attract more tourists.
Mrs Sai-Cofie noted that royalties to the various stakeholders would also automatically increase and urged the beneficiaries to work hard to boost tourism in the country. Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of Oguaa traditional area, expressed his appreciation for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be used judiciously. He said that the Council was liaising with the Board to put the Cape Coast castle in good shape to attract more tourists. He said plans were also far advanced to set up a task force to monitor activities at the beach along the castle to keep away hooligans and children who would loiter and disturb tourists who visited the facility. The Minister later toured the Cape Coast castle and also visited Elmina to make a similar presentation to the Edina traditional council.
