Atibie (E/R), April 09, GNA - The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey has called on individuals and the Private Sector to invest in the tourism industry for the country to generate adequate financial resources to improve the economy. He said the tourism industry had potentials, which if properly developed, would be a major foreign exchange earner for the country. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was speaking at the launching of this year's "Pepsi-Ferdinand Ayim Kwahu Paragliding Festival" at the Odwenanoma Mountains, near Atiebie in the Kwahu South District of the Eastern Region.

He said the Festival had been named after the late Ferdinand Ayim, a Special Assistant to the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, who lost his life in a motor accident while on his way to Kwahu to organize the 2006 Paragliding Festival.

The Minister appealed to Ghanaians and foreign tourists to patronise the Festival. He commended Pepsi Cola Company and other sponsors and the Kwahu South District Assembly for their contribution towards the Festival.

He said visitors from the United Kingdom; France; United State of America; South Africa and Australia were taking part in this year's Festival.

Mr Asare Otchere-Darko, Managing Editor of the Statesman, private newspaper, who was a special guest at the programme, appealed to the industrious Kwahu citizens to invest in the Festival by constructing hotels in the area for the increasing number of tourists, who visited tourist sites in the District.

He said the nation had historical sites, scenery, climate and beaches but only a few of these resources had been developed and urged the Government, the Private Sector and other investors to come out with innovations to diversify and develop tourism potentials in the country. Mr Otchere-Darko, a relative of Mr Ayim, said the country's rain forest with vast national parks such as the Mole Park in the Northern Region, provided excellent camping, trekking and wildlife location opportunities to tourists.

The District Chief Executive of Kwahu South District, Nana Onwona Asante said the District was gradually establishing itself as a tourist destination to enhance its economic development.

He acknowledged the Ministry of Tourism's contribution towards tourism development and appealed for more sponsors to develop other sites in the District to attain international standards.