Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - A project to facelift Bukom to become an enthralling tourists centre was unveiled by Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City on Tuesday in Accra.

The project, which has been divided into two phases, comprises the regeneration of the Bukom Square and the rehabilitation of the Old Harbour, at James Town, Accra.

Facilities designed to regenerate the Bukom Square include a football pitch; libation pouring centre; boxing museum; iced cocoanut stand; billboards showing the great boxers from Bukom; a well, where tourists would pray to their ancestors for well wishes; tourists place of convenience; open market place to showcase local folklore as well as a refuse dumping point.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, unveiling the plan before the chiefs, elders and people of the Ga Mashie, said the project formed part of the Government's attempts to modernise Accra to become a gleaming capital city as well as creating employment for people of Ga Mashie.

He said the Phase-II of the Project would involve the establishment of facilities such as a Museum of Forts and Castles; Museum of Political History; Museum of Shared Heritage; Museum of Diaspora African Excellence.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said it would take five to 10 years to complete the two phases and asked the chiefs and elders of the community to remain resolute and cooperate with the Government to ensure its success. He said tourism had become a lucrative industry for many communities and expressed the hope that the establishment of the tourists' centres in the area would help to improve the living conditions of the people. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey advised the people to work to ensure that they portrayed a positive image about the area as a safe ground to enable more tourists to visit the site when the project was completed. "What we need is for the community to eliminate drug peddlers and bag snatchers so as to sustain the tourism business."

Mr Senyo Tetteh, the Principal of Senyo Tetteh and Associates, is the Architect.