CRAFT VILLAGE TO BE ESTABLISHED

The Minister of Tourism Mr.. Mike Gizo and his Deputy Owuraku Amofa, were special guests at a sod-cutting ceremony for a craft village at the Trade Fair Centre, La, in Accra. The Craft Village, which will serve as a shopping centre of handicrafts for tourists and visitors to Ghana is estimated to cost 650 million cedis half of which has already been spent. The ceremony forms part of the ongoing first Handicraft Fair at the Trade Fair Centre. MR.. Mike Gizo noted that the handicraft sector is an important aspect of tourism and needs to be fully developed. He expressed satisfaction at the improved quality of products on display at the various stands, and commended the sector for achieving high results. Mr.. Gizo assured the organisers of the fair especially Aids to Artisans Ghana (ATAG) An NGO which is building a Craft Village, of the Ministry's full support. The project is being supported with funds from USAID, the guest of honour Mr.. Cleveland Thomas of USAID, said his Organisation is committed in supporting the project to help uplift the handicraft sector. He also emphasised the commercial aspects of the industry, saying products must be geared towards meeting international standards. The chairman of the ATAG Board of Directors, Mr.. B.K. Mensah, gave a background of ATAG. He said its target groups include the rural, and urban poor as well as artisans in the handicraft sector. An appeal for funds for launched towards the completion of the Craft Village. End