Japan to explore Ghana's tourism for investment

A three-member Japanese delegation is expected in Ghana soon to undertake feasibility studies on capacity building for the country's tourism sector.

Hiromu Nitta, the Japanese Ambassador who announced this in Accra on Wednesday said Japan is eager to explore Ghana's tourism potentials and to assist the country develop the sector as a means of opening up the rural areas to accelerate national development and integration.

Nitta said this during a courtesy call on the Minister of Tourism, Ms Hawa Yakubu to brief her on the visit of the delegation, to be led by a former minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador said the visit forms part of measures aimed at developing links between the two countries in the area of tourism.

He lauded the government's focus on tourism as part of the Golden Age of Business promotion and urged the ministry to adopt the appropriate policy framework to network with other social partners.

Ms Yakubu expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for the interest it has shown in Ghana's tourism development and pledged her ministry's support and co-operation.

She said Ghana abounds in rich cultural and natural resources but the only hindrance is funding and urged the Ambassador to encourage Japanese investors and financial institutions to do business with Ghana in that sector.

She said the tourism industry is ripe for private sector participation and Japan should take advantage of the congenial socio-economic climate in the country to invest.