The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Elizabeth Fosu Agyare says the global tourism market is increasingly expanding and as a result, the needs of tourists have become diverse.
It is therefore important that any country wishing to compete in the tourism market should scale up in terms of policies, infrastructure and quality of services to attract the needed tourists and high foreign exchange earnings.
Madam Fosu Agyare made this assertion when she paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong in Kumasi during a three day official visit to tourist sites in the region.
She said the critical role of tourism in national development in terms of jobs and wealth creation towards achieving the Government’s Better Ghana Agenda should not be underestimated.
According to Madam Fosu Agyare, significant improvements are required for Ghana to increase its market share and become a leading tourism destination in Africa.
Dr. Samuel Sarpong for his part, said Ashanti Region abounds in tourist attraction sites which when properly developed, can facilitate accelerated national development.
He however, questioned whether or not the collection of the Tourism Development Levy is checked periodically and called for its strict enforcement to prevent fraud.
Dr. Sarpong emphasized that the Tourism Development Levy is an Act of Parliament which ensures that patrons of a tourism enterprise pay one per cent of cost.
Madam Fosu Agyare later toured Ghana Armed Forces Museum in Kumasi, the Ahwiaa Wood Carvers site and Ntonso, Adanwomase and Bonwire Kente Villages. A mini durbar was held in her honour in Bonwire, where she interacted with the traditional rulers and members of the Kente Weavers Association.
According to Madam Fosu Agyare, the youth in the Ntonso, Adanwomas and Bonwire towns can contribute meaningfully to the national socio-economic development if they are exposed to wide variety of ideas in the creative arts industry and have imbibed in them the right attitudes, relevant skills and knowledge.
An appeal was made by the Kente Weavers Association to Government to tar the road network leading to the three communities to make them accessible and attractive to tourists.
