Accra (Greater Accra), 27th October 99

Mr. Mike Gizo, Minister of Tourism, on Tuesday told Parliament that the Ministry and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, in the United States, are to promote cultural and historical heritage tourism.

Mr. Gizo explained that the endeavour follows from a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry and the Georgian Department in Accra in May, this year, saying that the tourism promotion will be among Ghana, Georgia and other southern states in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean.

The Minister was in the House to answer MPs' queries during "Question Time".

In an answer to a question on steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Gizo said Ghana Airways has already taken the initiative for a joint promotion of traffic from the Caribbean through Atlanta, Georgia, to Ghana, using the national carrier and the U.S. Delta Airlines.

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), he said, is also preparing to attend an international fair in Atlanta at the invitation of the State of Georgia.

Mr. Gizo expressed the hope that the visit would not only enable the GTB to market the tourism potential of the country, it would also afford the Board the chance to expose investment opportunities in Ghana for prospective investors.

Mr. Gizo told the House that even though the Caribbean is not yet a major tourist market for Ghana, the region has great potential to be one in view of its predominantly African heritage.

He said the Ministry will, therefore, exploit the opportunities offered by the terms of the memorandum to develop that market.

On when the Nchiraa Waterfall in the Brong Ahafo Region would be developed into a tourist attraction, Mr. Gizo said the Ministry and the GTB, the implementing agency, are liaising with the Wenchi District Assembly and the Nchiraa Village Committee to formulate a strategy for the development of the facility.

He, however, expressed concern that information indicates that the catchment area of River Kyiridi, which is the source of the Nchiraa Waterfall, is threatened by farming activities, resulting in deforestation and silting of the river.

"Mr Speaker, recognising the need for us to conserve the country's natural resources, especially our water bodies, I wish to take this opportunity to make a passionate appeal to all district assemblies and community development committees to help safeguard and protect such resources", he said.

The Minister told the House that under the Brong Ahafo Regional Tourism Development Plan (1996-2010), the Nchiraa Waterfall has been been identified as a primary tourist attraction.