Ecofest 2002 Exhibition in Accra

A two day eco-tourism exhibition was held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, in Accra on Monday and Tuesday as part of Ecofest 2002, the International Tourism Festival in Ghana, which is organised under the theme, "Celebrating the Earth in the New Millennium for Nature, People and Culture".

The event showcased items by Ghanaian artists, technocrats and ecologists using mainly materials found in the forests and other natural sources. These included beads made from clay and glass, wall hangings, upholstery, leatherwear, clothing and assorted fabrics. Pictures of rare animals endangered by human activities in the forest areas were also displayed.

It was organised by Ecofest Ghana, a non governmental organization established in January 2001, dedicated to promoting initiatives for sustainable environmental preservation and conservation, raising global environmental consciousness and awareness in protecting the country's fauna and flora in partnership with civil society, government and NGOs.

The foundation focuses on eco-tourism as a means of adding value to resources conservation, while raising national consciousness on environmental degradation and reckless utilization of natural resources. Over the past year Ecofest has sought to identify for development, eco-tourist sites in the rural areas to inject tourism into the poverty alleviation programme of government and to improve rural incomes

The President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mrs. Joyce Wereko-Brobby and the Minister for Private Sector Development and Tourism, Mr. Kwamena Bartels, opened the workshop. Also present were the Minister for Environment and Science, Professor Kwabena Fobi and the La Mantse, Nii Kpobi Tetteh Tsuru, tour operators, hoteliers, tourists and the general public.