Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Mr Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of Unilever Ghana Limited, has called for a new orientation and skill in the tourism industry to make Ghana the desired tourist haven in Africa.

He has, therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a hospitality institute for the development of skills and competence required in the industry.

Mr Yamson was speaking at the Third National Tourism Awards Ceremony at which 39 companies and individuals were awarded for their meritorious service in the tourism industry.

It was organised under the auspices of the Ghana Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism. Mr Yamson called for adequate training of tourist guides, skilled hospitality staff, saying immigration and customs officials need to be re-oriented to accommodate tourists.

He suggested that "metres must be put in all taxis to provide protection against cheats", adding that taxi drivers must have good knowledge of cities and locations in which they operate.

Mr Yamson condemned the highly conspicuous poor sanitation and bad environmental practices in major cities and towns. He said the uniqueness Ghana has is her stable environment, the friendliness of her people and personal security.

"Therefore, to optimise the tremendous potential of the industry, we need to consolidate the current enabling environment which will not only persuade tourists to come to Ghana but will also encourage investors to invest in the industry."

Mr Yamson, who is also President of the Ghana Employers Association, noted that there must be focus, saying: "We cannot pretend to offer all that tourists want. The current focus on castles and festivals is in the right direction.

But it needs to be buttressed by strong infrastructure". He stated: "since tourism is about enjoyment, discovery and learning, it means we should provide the infrastructure to enable visitors themselves to discover the unknown and learn about our cultures".

He condemned the recent spate of armed robbery, murders and car-jacking cases, saying: "these are serious issues that can negate all the efforts being made to put Ghana on the tourist map and should not be taken lightly".

He congratulated the GTB and Tourism Ministry for their drive to make tourism a hit, adding that tourism can be a key driver for economic growth. Mr Yamson said Ghana has been frequently cited as being in the forefront of the much-talked about African Renaissance and urged tourism operators to lead the way.

Owuraku Amofa, deputy Minister of Tourism, said the GTB and Ministry of Tourism, with allied agencies, had initiated action to get more of Ghana's cultural, historic and social heritage designated by UNESCO.

They are the Mole National Park, Navrongo Cathedral, Nzulezo Stilt Settlement, Trade Pilgrimage routes of North-western Ghana and the Kakum National Park.

The others are the Assin Attadanso Resource Reserve, Attiwa Range Reserve, Buaben-Fiama Monkey Sactuary, Lake Bosomtwe, Ankasa Reserve, Historic Accra, Bia National Park and the archaeological sites of Sisili and Kulpawn. He said the new century would see eco-tourism and culture as a major attraction.

Mrs Doris Owusu Fianko, Acting Executive Director of the GTB, appealed to District Assemblies to consider participating in the development of tourist attractions in their regions, saying: "all the 110 district are endowed with natural attractions".