Kumasi, Sept. 19, GNA - The Ghana Tourists Authority (GTA) Task Forc= e will soon embark on an exercise to close down all unauthorised tourist facilities in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Ekow Sampson, Regional Manager of the Authority, said this was to ensure the safety of the public as well as tourists who patronise these facilities.

He told the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi that the exercise would see about 40 facilities being closed down for operating without the GTA's license. Facilities likely to be closed down include Pink Panther, Cozy Lodge, Wadoma Royal, MariGold, Afabof, King Towers, Embasy, Kings and Chiefs Palac= e Hotels because they had failed to renew their license. The rest are Brigina, the Dish, Big Byte, Sweet Roses, Steak and Chinese Fast Food Restaurants as well as Johnsons, Seasons, Jorees, Teekept= , Wihkash, Instlink and First Age Travel and Tours. Mr Sampson cautioned the public against patronising unlicensed hospitality facilities since their safety could not be guaranteed. He said all hospitality operators who flout the laws of the Authority would not be allowed to operate.