Accra, June 22, GNA - The Minister of Tourism and Diasporean Relations, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey on Thursday observed that vigilance from all was needed in the fight against sex tourism. He said as much as tourism had to be promoted, sex tourism had adverse effects on the society, especially when it involved children and adolescents.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said this when he unveiled a Bill Board against "Sex Tourism" in Ghana, together with Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs at the arrivals hall of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The Bill Board is to warn and deter potential sex tourists against carrying out their activities within the country.

The Minister noted that some countries that had become notable destinations for sex tourism had regretted badly as a result of the dire consequence, adding that Ghana did not have to follow the same path. He said the Police; Justice System; Ghana Hotels Association and all other stake-holders had to play a strong role in preventing sex tourism, since dealing with the situation required a combined effort.

Mrs Mills Robertson, Deputy Inspector General of Police, said apart from foreigners, some Ghanaians also condoned sex tourism and child sex. She said these illegal practices continued because individual offenders were hardly reported to the law enforcement agencies, adding that the Police had intensified efforts in collaboration with other agencies to arrest offenders.

Hajia Alima Mahama said it was most unfortunate when sex tourism led to the abuse of the rights of children, who got involved, and urged Ghanaians involved in such activities to stop since the law would soon catch up with them.

In a speech read on behalf of the Acting Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Nii Adumansa-Badoo, he said the GCAA would do its part by ensuring that the Bill Board was in good condition all the time.

He said the GCAA fully supported the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporean Relations and other agencies in their campaign against sex tourism in Ghana.