Tourism Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/tourism/ Ghana News | Ghana Politics | Ghana Soccer | Ghana Showbiz Wed, 13 Feb 2019 07:17:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.8 https://citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-CITI-973-FM-32x32.jpg Tourism Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/tourism/ 32 32 Citi FM’s HeritageCaravan an ‘awesome experience’ – Sierra Leonean woman https://citifmonline.com/2018/03/citi-fms-heritagecaravan-an-awesome-experience-sierra-leonean-woman/ Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:04:46 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=409065 Her name is known to everyone who took part in the 2018 edition of the Citi FM Heirtage Caravan. Fatima Wahab Babih is a native of Sierra Leone currently living in Baltimore Maryland, USA. She is a mother of four adults and has grandson. Fatimah is a doctoral student at Morgan State University currently working […]

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Her name is known to everyone who took part in the 2018 edition of the Citi FM Heirtage Caravan. Fatima Wahab Babih is a native of Sierra Leone currently living in Baltimore Maryland, USA. She is a mother of four adults and has grandson.

Fatimah is a doctoral student at Morgan State University currently working on a PhD in higher education leadership, focused on community colleges/polytechnics.

It seems at her age, she has a lot on her table, Fatimah is also founder and CEO of a nonprofit organisation focused on girls and women’s empowerment.

For many on this year’s Heritage Caravan, the trip was about the adventure, tourist sites and what have you, but for the mother of four, she wished it was a medical prescription for her by her medical doctor.

In her introductory message, she wrote, ” This trip should have been prescribed for me by my doctor, after a very hectic Fall semester, I headed to Sierra Leone where I launched our DIAMONDS Girls program”.

She added, “I am grateful to my niece Fatima Adam Mahdi, who surprised me with this trip”.

She continued,”It’s been an awesome experience.”

“I am more in love with Ghana and its people now than I was before. I fell in love and adopted a few daughters and sons along on this trip. I love the mannerism of these young people and their zest.”

The legacy of the fierce fights the people of the Gold Coast put up against the colonial masters is very evident in how Ghana is a little ahead of her neighbours in the Sub-region and beyond in the continent.

It seems Fatima is going to be on the Heritage Caravan more often. She indicated, ” Watch out, you might see me here again in the near future”.

In her closing remarks, she thanked Citi FM staff and her fellow Caravan riders for what she says is an educational experience that couldn’t have been gained in a classroom.

By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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#HeritageCaravan: Patrons set off on 7-day tour of Ghana [Photos] https://citifmonline.com/2018/03/heritagecaravan-patrons-set-off-on-7-day-tour-of-ghana-photos/ Sun, 04 Mar 2018 13:03:00 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=406107 Dozens of participants for this year’s Heritage Caravan, organized by Citi FM have set off from Accra on what is expected to be an adventurous journey across the country. The participants, who start their journey today [Sunday] from Ga Mashie after a Kenkey Party earlier in the morning expressed their excitement ahead of the 7-day long trip which will see them […]

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Dozens of participants for this year’s Heritage Caravan, organized by Citi FM have set off from Accra on what is expected to be an adventurous journey across the country.

The participants, who start their journey today [Sunday] from Ga Mashie after a Kenkey Party earlier in the morning expressed their excitement ahead of the 7-day long trip which will see them visit most of the country’s famous tourist sites.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Mohammed Adjie Sowah couldn’t help but join the dance floor

Some of the participants who spoke to Citi News said they were looking forward to a thrilling experience within and outside the country’s capital, Accra.

Before the participants set off, they were treated to hours of live indigenous Ga music by a band.

They will move to the Volta Region later in the day after touring Ga Mashie in the morning.

While in the Volta Region, the participants will visit Agortime Kpetoe and enjoy among other things, a special ‘borborbor’ display.

On day 2, they are expected to travel westward to the Ashanti Region where they will tour the Military Museum and the Manhyia Palace Museum, among other fun activities later that day.

From the Ashanti Region, the team will move to the Northern Region and on day 3, visit the Dakpema Palace where they will enjoy a special Heritage Caravan Live band concert with a special artiste.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Mohammed Adjie Sowah couldn’t help but jump to the dance floor

On day 4, they’ll visit the Wechiau Hippopotamus sanctuary in the Upper West Region.

On day 5, the team will depart for the Mole National Park and the Larabanga Mosque and later travel to Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital where a masked party will be held.

On day 6, they’ll depart for the Central Region and after series of activities, move to the Western Region.

In the Western Region, the participants will engage in series of activities before being treated to a BBQ beach party at the Busua Beach Resort on day 7.

MD of Citi FM, Samuel Atta-Mensah explaining to participants details of the road trip

The team will return to Accra later on day 7; March 10, 2018.

This year’s Heritage Caravan, the third after the 2016 and 2017 editions is sponsored by Hunters, TotalCard and GCB.

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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V/R: Teach tourists Ewe to promote our culture – Dzifa Gomashie https://citifmonline.com/2018/02/vr-teach-tourists-ewe-to-promote-our-culture-dzifa-gomashie/ Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:00:07 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=403234 Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dzifa Gomashie has called on workers in the tourism and hospitality industry in the Volta Region to promote the cultural heritage of the region by encouraging visitors to learn the basics of the Ewe Language. She suggested exposing tourists to the artifacts that identify the uniqueness of the region. Madam […]

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Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dzifa Gomashie has called on workers in the tourism and hospitality industry in the Volta Region to promote the cultural heritage of the region by encouraging visitors to learn the basics of the Ewe Language.

She suggested exposing tourists to the artifacts that identify the uniqueness of the region.

Madam Gomashie was speaking at an annual award ceremony held over the weekend by the Ghana Tourism Authority to celebrate hardworking workers in the Volta Region’s hospitality and tourism space.

She stressed the need to preserve and promote the unique culture of the people.

“I am encouraging us not be too consumed with the appreciation for other people’s way of lives and their languages but also as you learn other people’s language, teach yours as well. If we stop speaking the language, we lose the culture because the culture is carried through the language. In every country whose language you don’t even speak, you are forced to learn ‘Hello’ or ‘Thank you; once you get in there, you learn a word or sentence. It is the same concept; it is the way in which you do it that is going to make people love it as part of the package or culture in the hotel,” she said.

Extolling the enviable tourism potential of the region, the former deputy Tourism Minister also called on the media to support the campaign of making the Volta Region a major tourism destination in Ghana.

“My own thinking is that, we call the Volta Region, the rainbow region because we have every tribe in this region.  The topography is very different from any other; we have the savanna, the beach, and the forest areas. The way, in which the region changes from Aflao through Ho to Amedzofe, it’s something that I can tell a story with, I can write about in poetry and songs. So we need the media to tell these stories.”

It was a night of beautiful performances and display of the rich culture of the Volta Region.

Villa Cisneros Resort in Sogakope, was adjudged the Hotel of the year in the 3-Star Category, followed by Stevens Hotel, Ho and Aseda River Resort Hotel, Juapong who were both awarded Hotels of the year in the 2-star and 1-star categories respectively.

Others awards were handed to Rocklyne Hotel, Ho; Aborigines Beach Resort, Dzelukope; Chances Hotel, Kyabobo National Park, Nkwanta; Sky Plus Hotel, Ho and KCS downtown Ho for Guest House of the year, Budget Hotel of the year, Best Services Hotel, Attraction Site of the Year, Most Consistent Tourism Levy Payer and Fast Food of the Year respectively.

The rest were Lorlornyo Chop Bar, Hohoe; Mirage; Ho and Tour Care International, Hohoe who were awarded Traditional (Chop Bar) Catering, Drinking Spot and Tour Operator of the Year.

Kuul FM, Ho was named tourism-oriented Media House of the Year while Saviour Sika of Kyabobo National Park was adjudged Site Guide of the year.

By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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TV channel not an upgrade Ghana tourism needs [Article] https://citifmonline.com/2018/01/tv-channel-not-an-upgrade-ghana-tourism-needs-article/ Tue, 30 Jan 2018 05:34:18 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=396036 The World Travel and Tourism Council projects the total contribution of tourism to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product to amount to about $296 billion by 2026. This has been noted as quite a stunning projection given tourism’s direct contribution to Africa’s GDP was $30 billion between 1995 and 1998. The Tourism Council has also projected about […]

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The World Travel and Tourism Council projects the total contribution of tourism to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product to amount to about $296 billion by 2026. This has been noted as quite a stunning projection given tourism’s direct contribution to Africa’s GDP was $30 billion between 1995 and 1998. The Tourism Council has also projected about 29 million jobs in 2026, which will be up from the 21 million figure in 2016. The question then becomes; what is Ghana doing to position itself to reap a sizeable amount of these dividends? A tourism TV channel seems to be the most recent answer to this question.

On the surface, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s intent to launch a whole television channel just to showcase made-in-Ghana products and tourist sites is a little commendable because at least they are trying something. Yay? But it feels like a case of working harder and not smarter to cash in on the tourism booty that will be floating around the continent over the next decade.

The sector Minister, Catherine Afeku, at a symposium organised by Black Star International Film Festival last week announced that a license had already been secured for the TV channel which she envisions will help imbue Ghanaians with a new sense of pride in their culture. “It didn’t come easy but we have finally gotten our license. This will give a platform for our festivals, the music, and the shows that never get airtime. That is what the TV channel is all about,” Mrs. Afeku is quoted as saying.

This incoming channel will be the realisation of a promise from the Ministry, also intended to give Ghanaian a platform to showcase their content. We don’t have further and better particulars on this plan but surely, there are more prudent options to achieve the desired objective than investing money and time in a TV channel, which is hard work. If we want an indication of how this may turn out, we need not look any further than our hallowed Ghana Broadcasting Corporation – and that’s probably the best possible outcome.

Generally, on the tourism front, some would argue a comprehensive strategy and policy support is what is needed to court investment and improve the deteriorating infrastructure. There is also the matter of ensuring more inviting environments along with other external issues having to do with liberalised air travel within sub-Saharan Africa, among others. Considering we still cant provide decent toilet facilities at some tourists sites, we have some ways to go.

Maybe the launches of events like National Chocolate Day is what the TV channel will end up being used for

But using media to provide an outlet for tourist sites and other artistic expressions can’t is key, which is why I want to at least suggest some more prudent and effective outlets the government can resort to instead of investing in a TV channel, which is frankly will be a tedious luxury considering the channel will only be focusing on the domestic front of the tourism coin. Ghana has more domestic tourists, as is the case everywhere else but the higher per capita expenditure of international tourists over domestic tourists and because the dollars they bring means targeting them should be a little more of a priority.

Put our TV licenses to work

First off, we could just make use of the GBC’s existing stations and secure a 1 to 5-minute slot each hour to sell Ghanaians on the idea of the selfies in the backdrop of the regal Boti Falls or making our way to Gambaga to get a close-up feel of alluring Larabanga architecture. The content for these slots could be forwarded to other local stations too, in the name of boosting domestic tourism. It’s really about packaging an experience that assaults our senses and has us itching for a trek around the country – kind of like the little know nation-wide excursion Citi FM organises. I’m pretty sure Auntie Catherine has an idea.

But can the GBC provide an adequate outlet for creatives? That’s another objective of the intended channel. I can’t tell, but if the creatives are half as good as they believe they are, then the GBC will be receiving an upgrade in content. The bar is pretty low for them right now in some eyes.

The issue of supporting local content is a bigger problem that needs its own meditation, however, I doubt a new TV channel owned by the Tourism Ministry will not make a dent in the prospects of the artist bearing out his looking for a break.

Flood the web, target the diaspora and beyond

Impactful and credible web ads have the potential to fascinate and attract tourists to different destinations. You know the 1 to 5 minutes of content that could be making rounds on national TV, which no doubt will have to be to of notch quality and mouth-watering? It could all just be funneled online, mainly via social media. The ads showcasing Ghana’s tourist destinations could target countries with more Ghanaians who may be more likely to make the trip home to spend that hard-earned foreign currency.

I’m pretty sure the government could also resort to some analytics in this regard to target the nations with an eye for Ghana, as well as tailoring content to specific market segments. Yep, it’s hard work.

In the most recent data I could get my hands on, the top eight foreign source markets for tourism in Ghana were Nigeria (19%), the USA (13%), UK (9%), Cote d‘Ivoire (5%), India (3%), Germany (3%), South Africa (3%), and the Netherlands (3%), according to the National Tourism Development Plan (2013 -2027). These countries represent 60 percent of international arrivals.

But if the government is looking for a place to start with the targeted ads, how about China? Maybe it’s about time our East Asian friends did a lot more than galamsey in Ghana.

Maybe a full TV show

The most involving visual medium the Tourism Ministry should be involving itself in is a full TV show. Sitting here, I struggle to think of enough good things that could engage an audience for 20 minutes of TV, let alone a full season of television. But if the Ministry is confident enough to set up a full TV station, then managing a mere 20-minute programme for TV should be koko for them.

Website and web channel

Ghana tourism doesn’t just need a website, but one with just enough engaging content, like immensely tactile digital tours to leave one itching for the real thing like a junkie looking for their drug fix. The website should, of course, be in at least four of the world’s major languages (I suggest English, French, Spanish and Mandarin) and provide a guide to all our regions along with all relevant tourist information, a full list of all accredited hotels, lodgings etc.

The current Ghana Tourism Authority website is fine in this regard. It gives travel tips, offers a nice travel catalog and has some great pictures and the like. But it can improve. Also, its Facebook page seems to be more interested in personalities that national attractions. The authority appears to believe in time travel because its banner image still has an ad for the World Tourism Forum that will come off in October 2017.

These humble points are, all things being equal, better media tools for reaping the tourism dividend. A full TV channel on traditional airwaves is misguided and ultimately the least prudent solution for the problem identified.

How’s Ghana Tourism doing, by the way?

Ghana isn’t doing super on the tourism front. We are still a tier below the powerhouses on the continent like Egypt, South Africa and Morocco. But we’re managing, like the average Ghanaian. The UN Conference on Trade and Development “Economic Development in Africa Report” for 2017 notes that Ghana has received an average of 897,000 tourists between 1995 and 2015.

Ghana made $819 million in international tourism receipts in 2015, which is down from the $840 million average between 2011 and 2014. The growth rate of arrivals between 2011 and 2014 was only 1 percent, way down from the peak period between 2005 and 2008 which was 18 percent. In general, the average growth between 1995 and 2015 is noted as 7 percent in the report. In terms of total export revenues, i.e. spending by foreign visitors, Ghana made $911 million in 2015, again down from the 2011 -2014 period of 997 million. For Africa as a whole, tourism export revenues accounted for 46 percent of total services exports in 2011–2014, while in 2005–2008 when tourism experienced strong growth, it accounted for 53 percent.

Not bad figures on the whole but a mere fraction of what Ghana could be making in ten years if the World Travel and Tourism Council projection come to fruition. So maybe when the sector Minister takes to the podium for the meet the press, she may have some better inspiring plans for the industry.

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa

[email protected]

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Marian Ansah writes: Save Ghana’s tourism industry from collapse https://citifmonline.com/2017/12/marian-ansah-writes-save-ghanas-tourism-industry-collapse/ Thu, 21 Dec 2017 07:45:06 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=385023 Countries that recognize the crucial role tourism plays in economic development are constantly developing strategies to remain relevant in the industry. This doesn’t however hold true for Ghana, as key stakeholders in the tourism sector have failed to show commitment towards the industry over the years. It was an entirely different situation in the 1980’s […]

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Countries that recognize the crucial role tourism plays in economic development are constantly developing strategies to remain relevant in the industry.

This doesn’t however hold true for Ghana, as key stakeholders in the tourism sector have failed to show commitment towards the industry over the years. It was an entirely different situation in the 1980’s down to the 2000’s when Ghana was leading its neighbours as the number one tourist destination. Ghana, in those times could record as high as over 500,000 tourists in a year. Tourism was promoted through useful programmes including Emancipation Day Celebrations, Pan African Festivals and the like.

The sector was one of the largest contributors to foreign exchange and GDP, aside cocoa and gold, and socio-economic and political stability which fostered growth in the economy.

However recent statistics, especially from the World Economic Forum, have shown that Ghana’s performance in tourism is rapidly dwindling. The 2017 edition of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index ranked Ghana 120 out of the 136 countries that were sampled globally; a position which has remained same since 2015.

Also, out of the 30 Sub-Sahara countries sampled, Ghana ranked 17. The report, which considers factors such as the business environment, safety and security, health and ICT readiness, also places the country at 119 in ‘prioritization of travel and tourism’. The aim of the report, which covered 136 economies this year [2017], was to provide a comprehensive strategic tool for measuring factors and policies that enable sustainable development of the tourism sector.

Why focus on tourism?

The relevance of tourism cannot be overemphasized. The sector remains a key sector for rejuvenation of economies of various countries. In countries like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, tourism does not only serve as a major income generator but has also ensured a stabilization of inflation, increased foreign exchange and strengthened local currencies.

Figures from the United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO) have revealed that in 2010, foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector rose by 17.9% in Kenya, specifically, from KSh 62.5 billion 2009 to KSh 73.7 billion which is equivalent to 606,250,000 and  714,890,000 dollars respectively. Statistics have also established that tourism is a key economic driver in Kenya.

The tourism sector generated approximately 10% of the country’s GDP and 9% of total formal employment in 2010, according to UNTWO and the trend has remained constant in ensuing years. During my ten day stay in Nairobi, these statistics highlighting Kenya’s performance in the tourism sector became believable after discovering the great deal of importance placed on tourism.

Every year, the country organizes a tourism expo dubbed Magical Kenya Tourism Expo which affords key stakeholders in the tourism sector an opportunity to network and share ideas. The advantage of this programme is far reaching as it does not only give Kenya, the host country an opportunity to market what it has to offer in terms of tourism to the world, but also generates revenue for the economy.

For instance, at one of the tourism centres I visited, about 10 to 15 tourists trooped in every 30 minutes to the same centre. I was charged about 1000 shillings [USD9.6] as a foreigner to have access to these places. So if about 100 tourists were to visit the place in a day [which is possible], about 100,000 Kenya shillings worth of revenue, which is equivalent to USD960 will be made a day.

State of Ghana’s tourism centres

While Kenya is making huge strides in the tourism sector, Ghana is still lagging behind and the laissez faire attitude various stakeholders have developed towards the industry has relegated us to the background. In highlighting major challenges that threaten tourism in Sub Sahara countries, the report indicated that the biggest problems for travelers were air connectivity, transport infrastructure, travel costs, visa policies and infrastructure and Ghana is not so far from these challenges.

We have failed to renovate our tourism centres. We never add on to the beauty. Our maintenance culture is really appalling and we do not see the need to invest in promoting tourism in Ghana. Ghana’s wildlife reserves, vegetation among others are deteriorating and we have not done much to provide remedies for these challenges.

Ghana will reap immense benefits from the sector if government commits to policy reforms that enhance an enabling environment for tourism which will consequently protect the sector’s assets base and build capacity in terms of revenue generation.

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Children’s playground opened at Kakum National Park [Photos] https://citifmonline.com/2017/12/childrens-playground-opened-at-kakum-national-park-photos/ Sat, 02 Dec 2017 08:05:45 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=379335 A children’s playground has been opened at the Kakum National Park in the Central Region. The aim of this new branch of the national park, is to help diversify its tourism potential and serve as the perfect place for children who visit the park to play, learn and interact with nature. It was launched by […]

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A children’s playground has been opened at the Kakum National Park in the Central Region.

The aim of this new branch of the national park, is to help diversify its tourism potential and serve as the perfect place for children who visit the park to play, learn and interact with nature.

It was launched by the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust in November 2017.

Present at the launch was the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Agyei Baffoe, and Akyeamehene of the Denkyira State, Nana Akomea Ntrakwah III.

The Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust also launched the animal viewing zone on that same day, and solicited both technical and financial support for the restoration of the Kakum Exhibition Hall.

“… this year marks 20 years since the GHCT has been managing the famous Kakum Canopy Walkway. We thank God that it has remained safe all these years. I assure you that at Kakum, we do not compromise on safety,” said Maise Howell (Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust) at the launch.

By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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3 regions of the North least patronized by tourists – Report https://citifmonline.com/2017/10/3-regions-of-the-north-least-patronized-by-tourists-report/ Sun, 29 Oct 2017 12:13:34 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=366302 Domestic tourism was lowest in the three regions of the North of Ghana in 2015, a report by the Ghana Statistical Service has shown. Together, the Northern, Upper West and East regions controlled only 12.1 percent of domestic tourism as at 2015. [contextly_sidebar id=”7rnWBzcKCpIWRAexR8suKJOpwMHv3XBK”]As a result, industry watchers have appealed for intensified efforts to attract […]

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Domestic tourism was lowest in the three regions of the North of Ghana in 2015, a report by the Ghana Statistical Service has shown.

Together, the Northern, Upper West and East regions controlled only 12.1 percent of domestic tourism as at 2015.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7rnWBzcKCpIWRAexR8suKJOpwMHv3XBK”]As a result, industry watchers have appealed for intensified efforts to attract more tourists and open up the regions for development.

According to the report, 3,588,086 tourists travelled from one region to another within the year under study.

Of this figure, only 12.1 percent or 434,000 persons travelled to the three regions of the North altogether.

The Upper East region recorded the least number of tourists of 2.1 percent.

It was followed by the Upper West and Northern region which also attracted 2.1 and 7.7 percent of the total number of domestic tourists.

Ashanti Region receives most tourists

The survey, however, revealed that the Ashanti region attracted the highest number of domestic tourists.

The region had as much as 670,972 tourists visiting in 2015.

It was immediately succeeded by Greater Accra and the Eastern regions with 660,207 and 455,686 people visiting respectively.

But what may have accounted for the huge disparity between the North and South?

The Head of Services Statistics at the Ghana Statistical Service Ebenezer Ocran, attempts some explanation.

“It could be due to some of the rich culture of the people of Ashanti…and also there are some interesting tourist sites in the Ashanti region that attracts a lot of people to the region,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the highest number of domestic tourism was also recorded in November.

As much as 24 percent of tourists embarked on their trips around this time of the year.

Mr. Ebenezer Ocran offers suggestions on improving conditions at the various tourist sites especially in the North.

“Majority of the roads to these sites are untarred so if the tourist sites are really developed, then many people will be interested to visit and that will open up the places for development.”

By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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Catherine Afeku’s four-day tour to Western Region in pictures https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/catherine-afekus-four-day-tour-to-western-region-in-pictures/ Sat, 01 Jul 2017 06:49:35 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=333078 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 […]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The team left for Axim and latter to Accra after the tour.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Catherine Afeku’s four-day tour to Western Region in pictures appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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Catherine Afeku visits tourist sites in Western Region https://citifmonline.com/2017/06/catherine-afeku-visits-tourist-sites-in-western-region/ Tue, 20 Jun 2017 17:45:27 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=330077 The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Ablema Afeku and her Deputy, Dr. Ziblim Iddi ,as well as other members of the Tourism Ministry, are on a four-day working visit to the Western Region, touring heritage sites and other tourist sites in the region. Mrs. Catherine paid courtesy calls on the Western Regional […]

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The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Ablema Afeku and her Deputy, Dr. Ziblim Iddi ,as well as other members of the Tourism Ministry, are on a four-day working visit to the Western Region, touring heritage sites and other tourist sites in the region.

Mrs. Catherine paid courtesy calls on the Western Regional Minister and the Paramount Chief of the Essikadu Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia IV.

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She also met with other private sector stakeholders within the tourism industry in the region.

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She used the opportunity to tell them about government’s intentions of reviving the sector and to make it more attractive to Ghanaians and other tourists from around the world.

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She said her Ministry has identified the poor hospitality standards in some of the facilities across the country, which will be addressed.

“The government is partnering some Swiss experts to help address the education and training deficit we see in the industry. Their modules are going to help us train our people to exhibit high customer relations among hoteliers and other related stakeholders. Our trained people will become trainers for others too.”

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Some managers of traditional and modern hospitality facilities bemoaned the many taxes and other rates slapped on them in the face of utility hikes and low patronage.

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“There is EPA dues, tourism levy, federation dues etc totaling some 18 individual dues.”

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“The dues are too many and we wish your ministry could harmonize all of them in the face of the challenges facing the sector,” one hotelier bemoaned.

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The Minister revealed plans are currently being considered to harmonize all the rates and also to seek some utility relief for the industry through an LI at the consideration stage in Parliament.

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The Minister’s entourage then left for Axim in the Nzema East Municipality where she visited the traditional authority in the Lower Axim Traditional Area. They pledged their support for the Ministry’s vision to revamp some abandoned tourist sites in the Municipality.

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It was then the time to visit the Bebo Ayizi Island some five minutes away from the Axim shores. She expressed her commitment to ensuring that the island is developed “to create jobs for our youth in Axim and to generate revenue for government and custodians of the island.”

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Her day one visit ended after she and her entourage visited the Fort St. Antonio which has survived the test of time with its legendary artifacts since 1515.

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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Catherine Afeku visits tourist sites in Western Region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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Volta Region gets global exposure through photography https://citifmonline.com/2017/04/volta-region-gets-global-exposure-through-photography/ Sun, 09 Apr 2017 07:01:47 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=309139 The Volta Region is undoubtedly one of Ghana’s prime tourism gold mines which has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of its people and the nation as a whole. The region holds untapped tourism potential of Ghana which when properly harnessed could put Ghana on the map as a ltourist destination in the world. A bird […]

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The Volta Region is undoubtedly one of Ghana’s prime tourism gold mines which has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of its people and the nation as a whole.

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The region holds untapped tourism potential of Ghana which when properly harnessed could put Ghana on the map as a ltourist destination in the world.

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A bird eye view of the region exudes a lush landscape whose spectacle would win the admiration of many.

As the widest region in Ghana, the Volta Region shares boundaries with four other regions including Northern and Greater Accra.

The largest man-made lake in the World; Volta Lake traverses the region meandering its hills, valleys and forests.

The spouting waterfalls from the mountains present another thrilling experience for tourists.

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The region can also boast of highest point of human settlements in the country located at Amedzofe.

From shorelines at Keta off the Atlantic Ocean over the mountains of Afadja and Adaklu to the Savannah vegetation at Kete krachie, the region hosts endangered species like birds, antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles among others.

Unfortunately little is being done to bring the world’s attention to the potentials the region is endowed with.

As part of efforts to put out adequate information about the region to the world, the Global Shapers; Ho Hub of the World Economic Forum in partnership with Ho Node( a digital Innovation Hub) and supports from Citifmonline.com came up with a project dubbed HoPhotowalk.

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The maiden edition which saw the photographers visit some notable areas in Ho including the Main Market, Sports Stadium, GBC Volta Star Radio, Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Courts, Technical University, Parks and Gardens, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, EP Church and the Volta Regional Library captured the soul and scene of the capital city with camera lenses.

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The event brought together 25 photographers and videographers including Memories Photography, Lensational.org, JMA Photography, Skefotos, Massive Multimedia, G2 Media, FK Bedi Photography, Bone Ecstasy Photography and Volta Online.

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The project is expected to be replicated across the entire region and it is in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 8.

Goal 8 aims at promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.

It also wants to through Digital Transformation Initiative(DTI) open up Ho digitally and boosting the online presence of local businesses and tourist sites.

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In an interview with citifmonline.com, the Project lead, Mr Brian Dzansi was optimistic the project would put the Volta Region on the World’s Map and boost local businesses on virtual platforms.

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He appealed to individuals, corporate Ghana and the government to support the initiative to improve the economic lives of the people.

By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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