Kumasi, Jan 26, GNA - The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has agreed in principle to partner Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to develop and implement mutually beneficial initiatives for the growth of the tourism industry.

The initiative is part of efforts being made by the Board to fully develop the country's tourism potentials by promoting the tourism industry in both the domestic and international markets. To this end a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday between the two partners with an additional component to introduce and support tourist-oriented disciplines to produce competent graduates to man the tourism industry.

Mr Martin Mireku, the Executive Director of the GTB, signed for the GTB whiles Professor William Ellis, Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST signed for the university.

The MOU, which is subject to renewal every year, would be in force for two years.

It particularly seeks to enhance collaborative research in fields including art, culture, tourism and other related disciplines that have the potential to make positive impact on the socio-economic development of Ghana.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two parties would be expected to give logistic and financial support to strengthen the capacity units of the faculties of Fine and Industrial Art.

They are also mandated to resource the Centre for Cultural and African Studies to produce quality products to boost the tourism industry.

The MOU also spelt out the need to engage the services of the staff of one party by any of the partners for presentation of lectures and seminars for students and personnel.

Mr Mireku said a technical team made up of the two parties was in the process of being formed to operationalise and concretise the terms of reference of the MOU.

Prof Ellis lauded the GTB for their decision to partner the university to improve upon the growth of the tourism sector and called on other corporate bodies to strive to seek partnership with the university.