{"id":396036,"date":"2018-01-30T05:34:18","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T05:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=396036"},"modified":"2019-02-13T07:17:28","modified_gmt":"2019-02-13T07:17:28","slug":"tv-channel-not-an-upgrade-ghana-tourism-needs-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2018\/01\/tv-channel-not-an-upgrade-ghana-tourism-needs-article\/","title":{"rendered":"TV channel not an upgrade Ghana tourism needs [Article]"},"content":{"rendered":"
The World Travel and Tourism Council projects the total contribution of tourism to Africa\u2019s Gross Domestic Product to amount to about $296 billion by 2026. This has been noted as quite a stunning projection given tourism\u2019s direct contribution to Africa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
On the surface, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The sector Minister, Catherine Afeku,\u00a0at 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. \u201cIt didn\u2019t 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,\u201d Mrs. Afeku is quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n