Accra, June 03, GNA - A raffle dubbed "Travel Ghana Raffle" aimed at promoting Ghana abroad and campaigning to get over a million tourists to Ghana for the 50th independence anniversary celebration would be launched in August.

The raffle, targeted at Ghanaians living abroad and friends of Ghana as well as Ghanaians and foreigners living in Ghana, is part of the "Golden Face of Ghana" project initiated by the Ghana Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (GATTA) to promote safe and responsible international and domestic tourism.

The project, which is in four phases, includes a National Photographic Competition and Exhibition, the Travel Ghana Raffle, Tourism Pageant and an Endowment Fund to be created at the end of the Project.

Mr Godwin Pinto, the President of GATTA, told the Ghana News Agency that proceeds from the raffle would be used to set up an endowment fund for the tourism industry in Ghana.

The establishment of a Tourism Fund, Mr Pinto said, would also boost activities in private sector tourism.

"The raffle would give a lifetime opportunity for people across the globe to visit Ghana while they contribute to the heritage and cultural development of an African country that was unfortunately at the centre of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade."

Mr Kenneth Otchere, Chairman of the project, explained that the Project was the Association's humble contribution towards Ghana's major launch pad in 2007 to increase international visitors and tourism receipts.

"Ghana will be celebrating her 50th Independence Anniversary as well as 200 years of abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in 2007."

As part of the Project, some tourism sites and events would be enhanced for tourism; GATTA would facilitate the development and promotion of selected products for an initial period of two years to promote tourism.

The raffle will be drawn yearly for all coupons, even though the first group of winners will be in February 2007, other coupons will be re-entered

Mr Otchere urged various organizations to support the project and to help the tourism industry to grow, saying: "The tourism industry has the huge potential to eliminate poverty especially in the rural areas." 03 June 06