Accra (Greater Accra), 7th July 99 -

A Member of Parliament on Tuesday called on the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Parks and Gardens to develop the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout into an international tourist centre befitting the memory of Tetteh Quarshie.

Such a recreational centre should have shopping malls, transit hotels for tourists, restaurants and fountains, among other things. An independent authority should be entrusted with its management.

Mr Sampson Ottu Darko, NPP-Ga North who made the call in a statement to the house, said Tetteh Quarshie, who brought cocoa to Ghana, "deserves a fitting monument in his honour."

He said the roundabout, "possibly the biggest in West Africa, as it stands now covered with a semi-deciduous forest ... with no identification structure displaying its name is a sad reflection of the Ghanaian sense of appreciation."

Mr Darko said in the night, it poses a threat to vehicle owners and passengers who may be stranded there because there are no lights.

"In its present state the roundabout at best serves as a hide-out for criminals and social deviants and is, therefore, a dishonour to the memory of Tetteh Quarshie."

The member noted that monuments add aesthetic beauty to the landscape, serve as tourist attractions and therefore have economic relevance as well as academic values.

The strategic location of the roundabout, being on the Trans-African Highway, should be exploited to the full, the member added.

Ms Theresa Tagoe, NPP-Ablekuma South, commenting on the statement, said the Department of Parks and Gardens should do well to beautify roundabouts in the city.

''If nothing at all can be done at the Tetteh Quarshie Circle, at least we can plant some cocoa trees there,'' she said.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said the government recognises the contribution that he made to Ghana hence the recent 10 billion cedis upgrading of the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital to a referral centre.

Mr Kojo Mama Adams, Deputy Brong Ahafo regional minister, said the government's programme of construction of roads and bridges is on course and just as Danquah and Kwame Nkrumah circle have been beautified, the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital will soon undergo a similar beautification work.

GRi?/