Donors Confab On Tourism To Be Held By September - Amofoa

Tamale (N/R), June 24, --The Ministry of Tourism, the UNDP and the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), are to organise a donors' conference between July and September this year to develop identified tourism projects and programmes in the country. This is to facilitate the implementation of the final tourism development plan formulated as a component of 'Vision 2020'. This was announced by Mr Owuraku Amofa, Deputy Minister of Tourism, at a seminar attended by district chief executives, coordinating directors, heads of departments, members of parliament and opinion leaders in Tamale yesterday. The seminar discussed the draft Northern Regional tourism development plan. Mr Amofa said if Ghana is to reap the benefits of tourism,"then we must intensify our collective efforts to consolidate the modest gains made. "This calls for prudent and pragmatic policies, programmes and plans to guarantee its sustainability". Mr Amofa cautioned against the possible negative socio-cultural and environmental effects associated with the tourism industry. He therefore suggested that mechanisms should be put in place to mitigate and possibly, to eradicate such menacing activities like drug trafficking, drug abuse and promiscuity, among others.