Nakori (U/WR), Feb. 19, GNA- Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Deputy Minister of Tourism on Thursday inspected restoration work at the Sixteenth Century Nakori Mosque in the Wa Municipality. The Deputy Minister, who is on a three-day tour of the north, also visited the Gwollu defence wall in the newly created Sissala West District.

Other historical monuments inspected included the Sudanese architecture Wa-na's palace in Wa, which is also for restoration. The Gwollu defence wall served as a protective shield against the notorious sixteenth century slave raiders, Samori and Babatu. The Deputy Minister inspected facilities at the Wicheau community hippo sanctuary in the newly created Wa West District.

The Ministry of Tourism is financing the restoration work at the Nakori Mosque, while the community is providing labour. The Ghana Museums and monuments board is supervising the restoration work. Addressing the Nakori, Wicheau and Gwollu communities, Mr Boniface announced that his Ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Tourists Board have identified and listed a number of historical monuments and sites throughout the country for restoration and provision of facilities to make Ghana a preferred tourist destination.

Mr Boniface therefore called on communities with tourists attractions to take up the development of facilities and provision of services to attract tourists to their area.

He said by so doing they would be getting involved in the management and running of the various services in the industry. At the Wichiau Hippo Sanctuary at Talawena on the banks of the Black Volta, the Deputy Minister inspected the lodges, and seven boats used in ferrying tourists for Hippo trailing, bird watching and pleasure ride.

He was accompanied by Mr Joel Sonne, Director of the Ministry in charge of policy planning, monitoring and evaluation, and Mr William Ayambire, regional, director of Ghana Tourist Board.