Accra, Nov 7, GNA - Mr Kwabena Akyeampong, Deputy Minister of Tourism, on Saturday said the 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant to be hosted by Ghana had prospects which would enhance the country's socio-economic agenda.

He said the tourism sector was currently the third highest contributor to the country's Gross Domestic Product adding that 'with the pageant which is widely patronised, it is believed that lots of tourists will visit the country to witness it which will result in direct benefits to the hospitality industry'.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the official launch and promotion of the Ghana 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant in Accra.

The Miss Black Pageant, which has been in existence for the past 26 years, aims at reconnecting black Americans in the Diaspora to their African lineage.

A delegation of the Miss Black Pageant arrived in the country earlier this week to announce the selection of Ghana as the 2010 host of the event and also toured some tourism sites in the country.

Mr Akyeampong said the event would offer direct benefits for the car=

rental companies, hotels and the arts industry because the expected numbe= r of tourists was huge. He said in view of this, the Ministry would impress on the Ministry of Roads and Highways to rehabilitate bad roads that led to various tourism sites in the country to facilitate the movement of tourists. Mr Gabriel Pomary, a member of the delegation appealed to corporate organizations to sponsor the event. Ms Shayna Rudd, the 2009 Miss Black USA, who was also part of the delegation to inspect selected venues for the pageant's activities in Acc= ra, described her week-long stay in the country as adventurous adding that it=

had helped change her opinion about Africa as a 'bad'. She said the western media corrupted the real image of Africa and sa= id her task now was to help change that perception which was widespread. Ms Rudd described herself as 'a soldier fighting injustice' adding t= hat she would use her crown to work to bring relief to the vulnerable. 7 Nov. 09