Accra, March 5, GNA - A total amount of 3,757,185 Ghana Cedis has been allocated the tourism sector to enable it to effectively perform. In the budget statement presented to parliament on Thursday by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said out of the allocation, the Government of Ghana was providing 3,372,185 Ghana cedis and Internally Generated Fund (IGF) was provided 385,000 Ghana Cedis respectively.

Dr Duffuor said it had been estimated that with strong support by Government, tourism could become a lead foreign exchange earner and an economic engine for wealth creation, employment generation and poverty reduction within a short time since tourism had economic potential far beyond its current performance.

He said the Ministry would therefore decentralize tourism development and focus on community-based tourism, as a tool for poverty reduction.

"To achieve this objective, Government would facilitate the improvement in standards of tourism attractions to promote patronage, develop efficient marketing strategies and enhance quality services of the hospitality industry," he said.

He said the Ministry of Tourism would also participate in three International conferences as well as four International and domestic fairs and exhibitions and also organize four major events including a National Chocolate Day, Regatta, Carnival, Emancipation and PANAFEST celebrations.

"In addition Ghana will host the UNWTO International Celebration of the World Tourism Day, which would give the country an opportunity to showcase its tourism potentials," he said.

Dr Duffuor mentioned that the Ministry would also produce and distribute tourism promotional materials in and outside of the country through Ghana's Missions abroad and ensure the repackaging and marketing of Ghana's major festivals as well as launching Ghana's Tourism Brand. He said the Ministry would further develop and upgrade an official tourism website to enhance global access to Ghana's tourism and collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Secretariat to establish national hospitality standards, accreditation and certification for hospitality training institutions. On the performance of the Ministry in the year 2008, the Minister said the Ministry participated in six international conferences overseas and organized one international Seminar in Accra.

He mentioned some of the activities as the High Level Diaspora-led investment, as sources of financing for enhanced growth and development in Africa, (Cape Town, South Africa), the first US Africa Tourism and Sports Seminar -"Making Africa the World's next premiere travel destination" (New York) and the Diasporan International Conference, (Sydney, Australia). He said the Ministry also hosted the UNWTO Regional Seminar and workshop on Tourism and Handcrafts which were two key sectors to contribute to poverty reduction and Economic Development in Africa in Accra, Ghana.

He also mentioned the National Chocolate Day, the Para-Gliding, Emancipation and the Joseph Project as well as the World Tourism Day, as four key annual event held by the Ministry of Tourism in 2008 which greatly promoted tourism in the country. "Other activities undertaken include: the printing of 30,000 promotional brochures which were distributed to target groups, 2,186 accommodations and catering establishments in both formal and informal sectors inspected

and issued with operational licenses as part of ensuring standards and quality service delivery, completed the construction of a new building for Ghana Tourist Board Head Office and held the 8th National Tourism Awards for industry practitioners to promote competition and excellence in service delivery," he said.

Dr Duffuor said the Ministry organized training for 106 members of staff in various professional and industry related courses to improve service delivery. It also organised training for 5,386 hospitality service providers to enhance service delivery during the CAN 2008. He said the Hotel, Catering and Training Institute (HOTCATT), a training wing of the Ministry, offered pre-industry training for 239 school leavers in the following industry related Skills: front desk office operations, housekeeping, food and beverage production, tour guiding and ground handling skills.

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) also collaborated with FAO, CEDECOM and Ghana Maritime Academy to train 164 food service providers, Trade Association Executives and 29 Life-guards/pool attendants on aquatic life saving.

He said work was started on two Tourist Receptive Facilities at Akwamufie and Saltpond in the Eastrn and Central Regions, in addition to the 21 located at various districts country-wide to open-up these sites for increased patronage. 05 March, 09.