Majority leader chastises operators in hospitality industry

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament on Monday chastised operators in the hospitality industry for poor working ethics.

He expressed dissatisfaction about services at the Holy Trinity SPA Centre at Sogakope, in spite of the huge investment in the edifice. Mr Bagbin claimed that services at the centre was poor, whilst some of the waiters and waitresses have poor working ethics and "walk away while you are talking to them".

"I have registered my concern to the management to institute measures to train their staff. The service I and other members of parliament faced at the centre was not in isolation. Most of our hospitality centres lack trained staff," Mr Bagbin said at the launch of the Ghana Tourist Guide in Accra.

The Holy Trinity SPA and Health Farm offer various services including scientific relaxation and rejuvenation, vacationing, honeymoon, luxury pampering, stress management, beauty therapy, professional counselling, adventure, and detoxification.

The maiden comprehensive tourist guide, published in four languages, English, French, Spanish and German was authored by Ms Rose Agodoa a final year student of the Institute of Professional Studies.

The Majority Leader, who launched the book, challenged operators in the industry not to allow lateness (African Punctuality) to serve as a disincentive to the growth of the tourism sector.

Mr Bagbin who is the Member of Parliament for Nadowli West arrived at the venue 20 minutes before the programme and waited for about 30 minutes before business commenced.

Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, Minister of Tourism called for private- state partnership for the development and promotion of the tourism industry stressing that the government was committed to creating a conducive environment for sustainable development and growth of tourism. Mrs. Azumah-Mensah, said currently, tourism was the country's fourth highest foreign exchange earner after gold, cocoa and remittances from Ghanaians resident abroad.

The first two copies of the book was bought for 2,500 Ghana Cedis by the Ministry of Tourism and the Majority Leader. 2