Sport, Tourism, forces for development

Tamale, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, on Monday said sports and tourism were powerful forces for development.

He said they stimulated investments in infrastructure projects such as roads, stadiums, sporting complexes, hotels and restaurants. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was reading the World Tourism Day Celebration Statement by Dr Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and Dr Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Once infrastructure is in place, these two mutually beneficial industries of tourism and sport become the motor for sustainable economic growth, the creation of employment and generation of revenue' he said.

The Minister said sport and tourism shared common goals of building bridges of understanding between different cultures, lifestyles and tradition, promoting peace and goodwill among nations, motivating and inspiring young people and providing entertainment and enjoyment to relieve the pressures of daily life to large sections of the population. He said World Tourism Organization Day aims at celebrating tourism and its positive impact on the socio-economic system of mankind in different communities.

Speaking on the theme for this year's celebration: "Sport and Tourism: Two Living Forces for Mutual Understanding, Culture and Development of Societies," Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said this year's occasion, which featured the local games like "ampe, oware, draught and other local games should mark the beginning of efforts to revive and promote our traditional and indigenous games and sports by engaging in them".

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the WTO and IOC were therefore inviting all member and non-member states as well as the National Olympic Committees, International Federation and Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games to join in promoting a strategic partnership between tourism and sports to engender mutual understanding, promote culture and development of society.

On this year's electioneering campaign, Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the need for quality elections was crucial adding: "A peaceful, trouble-free election in Ghana this year will once again demonstrate the uniquely matured nature of Ghanaians; earn this country more admiration and respect and make it tourism and investment destination that we all hope for," Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said.

Football matches were played between various tourism departments in the Upper East, Upper West and the Northern Regions.