Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations, on Friday expressed concern about the manner in which some of the country's historical sites were being destroyed. "As a nation aspiring to be one of the world's tourist destination,

there is the need to preserve our historical sites," he said. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in reaction to reports of the destruction of a historical building by a church at Adorso, near James Town, in Accra.

He said the building had been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as one of the world's oldest heritages and that there was the need for it to be protected.

The Minister said it was part of government's plan to rebuild and restore historical sites for the benefit of the indigenes and there were plans by the ministry to put up a hotel near the site through a British investor in order to attract tourists.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey mentioned the rebuilding of Bukom Square, construction of the inner harbour and restoration of Usher Fort as part of government's effort in the fight against poverty in the area. He said trading activities in James Town used to be brisk during the colonial area due to the inner harbour, but the building of the Tema harbour contributed to some extent the level of poverty in the area as most of the trading activities shifted to Tema.