Kumasi, Aug. 16, GNA- Mr Boniface Abubakr Saddique, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, on Saturday advised religious bodies to encourage the organisation of International Conventions in Ghana as a way of contributing to the promotion of tourism in the country.

He said efforts by the government to make tourism the largest foreign exchange earner after agriculture, could only become successful through collaborative efforts of the public and the private sector. Mr Saddique was speaking at the Third annual Religious Tourism Festival, dubbed "Methofest 2003" in Kumasi.

Highlights of the event include a durbar of chiefs, an exhibition and a pilgrimage to Kusa in the Adansi West District of Ashanti. The four-day festival is being organised by the Methodist Church with the theme: "A Healthy Church for National Reconstruction - the Role of Tourism", designed to showcase the historic and rich socio-economic and cultural heritage of the Church.

Mr Saddique said his Ministry has drawn up a strategic action plan with a vision of ensuring that tourism generates 20 percent growth by 2007.

The main objective of the plan is to make Ghana a competitive and quality tourist destination within the framework of the country's cultural, historical and environmental heritage, he said.

The Deputy Minister praised the Church for the initiative, noting that, "it will foster understanding between ethnic groups as people get to know and appreciate each other".

The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, said through the festivals, the church will sustain religious tourism throughout the country.

He said all the 13 Dioceses of the Church will have the opportunity to exhibit their historical resources adding hat, "the lectures, exhibits and the stories behind the exhibits will spur the Church to break new grounds and obey the Lord in word and in deed". Nana Dr Susubribi Asante Krobea, Omanhene of Asokore, said he was happy that the event was being used as a factor for unifying the country as the various ethnic groups display their cultures. 16 Aug. 03