Accra, Nov. 15, GNA - The Government intends to spend GH=A24,043,663 on the development of tourism next year. The amount would be used to improve the standard of tourism marketing and services in both public and private sectors; upgrade and expand the stock of facilities and to facilitate the development of Old Accra.

Out of the total amount allocated to the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Government would provide GH=A23,739,533 while GH=A2304,130 would be provided from internally generated funds. Mr Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, announced the allocation when he read the 2008 Budget Statement in Parliament on Thursday.

He noted that the Ministry sought to deepen the relations with African and Ghanaian Diaspora through Emancipation/PANAFEST and the Joseph Project activities.

The Minister said the Joseph Project (Akwaaba Anyemi), aimed at making Ghana the gateway to the "Homeland" for over 40 million African Diasporans; was launched this year. Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Ministry would in 2008 participate in international exhibitions and fairs and would continue to market Ghana through the celebration of the Emancipation/Joseph Project/World Tourism.

The Ministry would further organize the Fourth Paragliding Festival at Atibie, Kwahu and promote and manage Ghana's coastal areas for investment purposes.

Other projects, the Ministry intends to undertake include the establishment of Tourism Information Centres in 10 regional and 20 district capitals in the country as well as organizing training programmes to ensure that the ECOWAS standards for service delivery were observed. The Finance Minister said the Tourism Ministry would continue to facilitate the development of Old Accra, especially the development of Ababio Square and the Old Fishing Harbour, facilitate the setting up of Rest Stops along major roads and construct receptive facilities at Akwamufie and Saltpond.

Touching on the achievement of the Ministry in 2007, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Ministry in partnership with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ghana had constructed and inaugurated an office in the Old City Engineers Yard for the Old Accra Development Agency. He said the contract for the rehabilitation of the Brazil House has been signed between the Tabon Family of Brazilian decent in Ga Mashie, the Brazilian Embassy and the Project Implementation Committee. The Brazil House, he said, would be used as a museum to expose Brazilian Heritage in Ghana to enhance tourism in the area. The Ministry also procured a number of artefacts and pictures as part of its efforts to create a museum of modern Ghana. The restoration and listing of historical buildings for conservation and tourist attraction is also being undertaken.

The Ghana Tourist Board implemented a programme dubbed: "Ghanaians tourist-friendly", with the ultimate aim of making Ghana the preferred tourist destination in West Africa. In addition the Board trained 1,000 personnel from the private sector in front desk office duty, food and beverage service and housekeeping through a crash-training programme to improve service delivery in the industry. The Ministry, through Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), trained 300 youth for employment in the hospitality industry apart from training 40 tour guides and travel and tour operators. 15 Nov. 07