The Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Alfred Sugri Tia, has cut the sod for the commencement of the redevelopment of the Achimota forest reserve into the Accra Eco Park in Accra.
The ceremony held in Accra according to the Deputy Minister, is to initiate another laudable ecotourism infrastructural development which has the potential to make the city of Accra a major tourism destination in the West African sub-region.
The sod cutting ceremony was attended by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Nii Osah Mills, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission Samuel Afari Dartey and the Chief Executive Officer of Aikan Capital, among others.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Alfred Sugri Tia, who was representing President John Dramani Mahama, noted that, the project will create countless jobs for the youth and generate revenue for the country.
“Apart from making the city of Accra a world class recreational area, the project will create numerous benefits and have a multiplier effect in job creation. It will create about 4,000 jobs during the construction phase. These will include draughts men, plumbers, civil engineers, welders, masons, architects, electricians, planners, surveyors and many others, who will receive more than US$200m in income over a ten year period. During the operational phase, more than 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs will be created,” he said.
“This will include tour guides, caterers, drivers, accountants, managers, ecologists, mechanics, engineers, security personnel and numerous business opportunities. These are mostly jobs that our artisans and labour force have the requisite skills to be profitably engaged in. The forestry commission will also receive about 20% of the revenue generated. In addition, Government will receive revenue amounting to about US$186m as corporate tax, US$15m as PAYE and about US$18m in social security payment (SSNIT). For the private sector, numerous business opportunities will be created, thus enhancing the contribution of the forestry sector to national development.”
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By: Philip Nii Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana