Accra, Aug. 9, GNA-Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Minister of Health has observed that if indigenous Ghanaian dishes were prepared and presented well and safely, they could have an enviable and important role to play in the tourism industry.

To this end, he said, local dishes should be given the needed support from the public and other institutions concerned.

Maj. Quashigah, who made the observation in an address read for him at the launch of a Support Fund by members of the Ghana Traditional Caterers' Association (GTCA) in Accra on Friday, said when safely prepared and given the push, indigenous dishes could then boost the tourism industry by earning more foreign exchange for the nation. The Fund, whose launch had "Contribution To National Development, Tourism and Welfare Of Ghana Traditional Caterers", is to assist the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in solving the ever-mounting garbage or waste problems confronting them. The Minister commended members of GTCA for their hard work, and pledged his ministry's support for its activities.

Maj. Quashigah recalled that the implementation of the Regenerative Health and Nutrition Programme (RHNP) by the Ministry of Health in 2007, "places more emphasis on improvement in lifestyles, health promotion, disease prevention and restoration of life."

The programme, he said, "is focused on healthy eating, improving food safety, regular exercises, drinking potable water, resting, improving environmental sanitation, improving personal hygiene and ensuring lifestyles that promote health."

He charged members of GTCA to contribute their quota to ensure the success of the RHNP, by "cooking with wholesome and quality raw materials, employing measures that will ensure the safety of the food during its preparation, and ensuring good environmental sanitation." Maj. Quashigah advised them not only to stay united, focused and innovative, but also embrace the RHNP to help improve the health status of Ghanaians.

Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations urged members of the Association to strive to uplift the image of Tourism through improved services, better customer satisfaction, renewed awareness of hygiene and improved environmental protection. Mrs Sai-Cofie whose speech was also read for her, appealed to Assemblies to support GTCA in its vision to grow.

Nana Apraku Tuffour, National Financial Secretary of the Association pledged members' desire to collaborate with the Assemblies to educate food vendors on basic hygiene practices, and environmental cleanliness, as a means of boosting tourism in the country.

Nana Tuffour appealed to Ministries of Health and Local Government, the Food and Drugs Board, the Ghana Tourist Board and the Environmental Protection Agency to come out with better food hygiene enforcement and compliance mechanisms that would serve as a guide for members of the Association in their dealings with the public.

Mr. Emmanuel A Ansong, National Public Relations Officer of the Association, thanked sponsors of the Support Fund for their generous contributions and urged members to pay their contributions of One Ghana Cedis each towards the fund, in order to make it achieve its set goals. Nii Adjei Kraku, Tema Mantse, and Chairman for the occasion, asked managers of the Fund to ensure transparency and accountability at all times, to enable it to grow.