Ghana’s Minister of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare has added her voice to her colleague tourism ministers call for the establishment of an African Union (AU) Commission on Tourism.
She was of the view that, the development of Tourism to a large extent can be accelerated with the establishment of a desk on tourism within the African Union Structure. She said the political will of the sector’s development will be enhanced with a structure like that.
“In Ghana’s case, the government under the leadership of his Excellency President John Mahama in realising the enormous potential of tourism improving economies, creating jobs, and alleviating poverty, is personally spearheading the development and promotion of tourism in the country” she added.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare reiterated that, the establishment of the Commission will help discuss and find solutions to similar problems facing the continent when it comes to tourism. She said ,she has spoken at length with her colleagues to help push this agenda .
She said, even though Africa has enjoyed an astronomical increase in tourism arrivals to the continent from 25 million in 2000 to 56 million as at the second half of 2015 forming 5% of the world’s total , it can be upped tremendously with the establishment of the said desk.
“Just like the Foreign affairs and security desk within the African Union Structure, Tourism will even help improve the lives of it’s people.
Tourism is the leading pro poor industry in the world and holds the trump card in changing the economies of most countries in the world especially the developing economies
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Credit: Tourism Ministry