The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Ablema Afeku and her deputy, Dr. Iddris Ziblim as well as other technical members of the ministry embarked on a four day tour of some potential tourists sites in the Western Region.
The mission was to check these sites and identify ways with which they could be developed.
The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Evalue Ajomoro Dwira Constituency first visited the Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sekondi.
She later paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Essikadu Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V at his palace at Essikadu.
Her entourage left the palace to meet with private sector actors in the tourism industry at the Palms by Eagles Lodge in Takoradi.
She explained government’s plans to revamp the tourism sector.
She also went to Axim in the Nzema East Municpality where she met with the traditional leaders in Lower Axim.
The chiefs assured her of their support.
The Bebo Ayzi Island was her next stop.
She and her entourage as well as the deputy Western Regional Minister, Gifty Eugenia Kusi were taken on a five minutes boat trip to the island.
She closed the day after she toured the Fort St. Antonio on the shores of Axim.
Day two started by her visit to Nkuroful, the birthplace of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The team was told about some historical facts about Ghana’s first president.
It was followed by a visit to the newly built Maaha Beach Resort at Atuabo.
Day three begun with a courtesy call on the paramount chief of the Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Agyevi Kwame II in the Nzema East Municipality.
The Minister’s vision to transform some tourist attraction sites in his jurisdiction received another boost when he assured her and her ministry of his support.
The team left for the adventurous jungle journey to the Anhu Nyame Stone Castle. The team returned back to Axim to end day three of the tour.
Day four was first a courtesy call on the chiefs and people of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area at Atuabo.
They were then taken to see the crocodile shrine.
Next stop was at the palace of the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area at Benyin, Awulae Annor Adjaye III in the Jomoro District.
Awulea spoke on the need to develop other tourist attraction sites along the Nzulezo estuary.
It was now time for the journey to the village on stilt, Nzulezo.
She interacted with the chiefs and people at their town hall, also on stilt.
There were nice cultural displays by the children in the village.
The team left for Axim and latter to Accra after the tour.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana