Ghana earns 400 million from tourism

Ghana realised 400 million dollars from the tourism industry last year, Deputy Minster of Tourism, Nana Akumea, said on Tuesday.

He said there has been a rapid growth in the industry during the last 10 years adding that, 20 million dollars was earned in 1985 while 80,000 tourists visited the country the same year.

It is estimated that by the year 2010 Ghana will receive a million tourists, the Deputy Minster added, Nana Akumea said this in Accra when he received a nine-member Thai business delegation led by Dr Suthiporn Chirapanda, Chairman of the Board

Marketing Organisation for Farmers in Thailand.

The delegation is in the country on a five-day business tour to explore opportunities in agro-tourism, agro-processing and the hospitality industry. The delegation will go on a field trip around Accra, visit the tuna industries at Tema, the Volta Lake and some farms among others.

The Deputy Minster said the position of Ghana, linking Europe and South Africa, makes it easier for investors and tourists to visit and explore business opportunities.

He asked the delegation to take advantage of the government's declaration of golden age of business to be among the first to do business with Ghana.

Nana Akumea mentioned the hotel industry as one area where they could invest since the very few five and four star hotels charge too high, between 160 and 200 dollars a night.

Nana Akumea said Ghana's 500-kilometer beach coastline could also be explored and developed for tourism. The delegation complained of difficulties in acquiring visas and other documents on Ghana and asked that the government should work on that to make it easier for investors in their part of the world to visit Ghana.

In another development, Mr. Robert William Hrisir-Quaye, Acting Executive Director, Du Bois Memorial Centre, has presented certificates of appreciation to Ms Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism, Nana Akumea and the Chief Director of the Ministry.

At the presentation ceremony in Accra, Mr. Hrisir-Quaye said that the certificates are to show appreciate for the role the three officials played during the 8th Du Bois annual lectures in August.