Accra, Dec. 21, GNA - The Japanese government has granted the Ministry of Tourism GH¢1.2 million for the construction of an ultra modern Visitor Information Centre to be put up in Accra.

A statement signed by the sector Minister, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah said in Accra on Monday.

It said the grant was a result of Japanese funded project on Public-Private Partnership, which was carried out by the Ministry of Tourism in co-operation with the Japanese International Co-operation from February 2006 to January 2009 and had been sustained until now.

The facility is expected to provide co-ordinated tourism informationon destination Ghana as well as provide facilities to serve as the first-stop for tourists, both domestic and foreign, before going on to their in-county destinations.

It said the Tourism Development Project had strengthened Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the tourism sector.

A PPP Forum was established as an arena where all stakeholders in the Ghanaian tourism sector can gather and discuss various topics for the future development of the tourism industry.

PPP Forum members comprise public and private sector representatives, who worked on pilot activities in five Working Groups namely; Finance and Investment; Human Resource Development; Marketing and Promotion; Policy; and Product Development.

The statement said the idea to construct a model Accra Visitor Information Centre came up when a pilot programme was carried out during the CAN 2008 tournament hosted by Ghana, adding that its success informed the need for a permanent strategy and development of such a facility.

It said the overall objective of the Accra Visitor Information Centre was for "professional distribution of accurate travel and tourism information and value-added services and to assist the travelling and touring public, wherever they want to go in Ghana".

The statement said when the project is completed, it would enhance the attractiveness of Ghana as a preferred tourist destination, enable the local tourism industry to achieve global standards, help improve the lives of local communities, preserve the environment and enhance economic growth and serve as a prototype for Regional and Local Visitor Information Centres in Ghana. 21 Dec. 09