The money, she says will help in improving the state of roads at tourist sites, as well as improve sanitation in those places.

The World Bank earlier this year approved the $50 million dollar grant, to support the Ministry and its agencies to improve sector productivity for job creation.

Speaking to Citi Business News on the sidelines of the inaugural West Africa Intergrated Travel Forum, Madame Afeku said she was optimistic the money will help increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP.

“Not a cent has been disbursed yet but between now and June the first tranche will come out. The money will be used for tourism development in the country. We’re talking about roads leading to the tourist site, sanitation around tourist sites, training as well as marketing.”

Madame Afeku added that a lot of work is being done in the background to lift the country’s tourism potential.

“It’s a work in progress, and I’m very excited about the prospects of the sector. In a year or two, Ghanaians should see major improvement in tourism, development in the country. If you don’t have a developed product no one will come and see your arts or culture. And if it’s a terrible experience you won’t get repeat business.”

The two-day West Africa Integrated Travel Forum was used to among other things begin a process of promoting joint marketing efforts amongst Tourism Boards and Authorities in the West African Sub-region.

The forum was also used to draw the attention of the related authorities and policy makers to the need to ease up travel blocks within the region.

The West Africa Integrated Travel Forum (WAIT) served as an avenue to link consumers with products and services across the sub-region and provide a joint platform for access to information, organize road shows, exhibitions and other joint promotional efforts.

Giving the welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman emphasized the importance of trust to the growth of the tourism industry.

Mr. Agyeman also called on political and sector authorities within the sub-region to design policies and plans that will foster inclusive tourism growth, Intra-West Africa travel, and also contribute to openness for a borderless and interconnected sub-region.

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By: Bobbie Osei/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post First tranche of World Bank tourism fund expected in June appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Her comments follow the sudden demise of music icon Priscilla Opoku Kwarteng, known in show-business as Ebony Reigns.

[contextly_sidebar id=”X68qdqE7n9UR4wb9EGYHRMp0RisbYLOR”]Speaking at Ebony’s one-week memorial service on Sunday, Abelema Afeku charged players in the entertainment industry to take the lead in road safety campaigns.

“This is a rallying call for the musicians, the artistes of Ghana to come together and to make a bold statement on road safety on the lives of the precious talent and creative citizens of this country, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will support you, “she said.

This she said is also necessary for the memory of Ebony Reigns.

“Lets us immortalize this tragedy, so something good comes out of it, never again will a star such as Ebony leave this planet in this manner” she said.

The family of the dancehall artiste has set March 17, 2018, as the date for the burial and final funeral rites. The announcement was made during the one-week ceremony.

The starlet met her untimely death when she was returning to Accra from Sunyani after visiting her mother who had just returned from the UK, when the Jeep she was travelling in crashed into a VIP bus on Thursday evening, according to the police.

The driver of the Jeep survived the crash, but Ebony and two others perished in the crash but most recent reports indicate that he is still receiving treatment.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ebony’s death: Tourism Ministry to embark on road safety campaign appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.