Accra, June 9, GNA 96 Photography and tourism are bedfellow considering the importance of photographs to the development of tourism, Mrs Bridget Katsriku, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporean Relations has said.

She expressed concern about the scarcity of photographs for tourism promotion, noting that during tourism fairs photographs were needed to give vivid description of a particular destination.

Mrs Katsriku made the observation when she met with officials from the Ghana Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (GATTA) and the World Bank to discuss the National Photography Competition and Photographic Book on Ghana on the theme: "Ghana - A Land of Warmth, Smiles and Golden Opportunities."

The Photography Competition and the Photographic Book form part of the "Golden Face of Ghana Project=94 aimed at promoting safe and responsible international and domestic tourism. Mrs Bridget Katsriku said: "Although it is a hobby to many, photographers require professional training. There should be professional photographers; photographs need to be taken at all times in a professional way."

She said the best way to sell Ghana abroad was through pictures, both still and video, adding; "Ghana is undersold. Photography and Tourism are bed fellows."

She said tourism promoted photography, while photography generated employment and income and called on photographers to be stationed at tourist sites to make more money through tourism. She commended GATTA for the initiative it had taken to train photographers through the competition and pledged the Ministry's support for the project.

The Photography Competition and Photo Book are intended to share Ghana's rich culture, the scenic natural environment, smiling faces and warmth of her people with the rest of the world.

Mr Philip Jespersen, Programme Officer at the Ghana Office of the World Bank, said his organization had provided a professional photographer for the competition and would sponsor the formation of a web page for the photographs.

"A photo says a thousand words; imagine what a thousand photos would say," Mr Jespersen said, and noted that Ghana had so much to offer the world in terms of her unique food, culture and history. Mr Godwin Pinto, President of the GATTA, said the Tourism Sector recognised the photographic book as an opportunity to brand the country through the lenses of the camera to help to implement a targeted marketing campaign.

He said registered participants for the project would have the opportunity to improve their skills in photography through workshops. Explaining the "Golden Face of Ghana Project=94, the GATTA President said it would be launched later this year. It would include a Pageant to promote tourism; Photo Competition and Photo Book; Travel Ghana Raffle and the establishment of an endowment fund for the industry.

He said the photographic book would serve as a promotional tool to provide quality photographs and video library material for ready use by the industry.

"The Photo book and competition will also trace the nation's rich history from the early trade relations with Europe since the 15th century through the colonization and attainment of political independence 50 years ago."

He said the 93Golden Face of Ghana Project=94, which was GATTA's contribution to the 50th anniversary celebration, would embark on site development and sanitation improvement, conservation and poverty alleviation programmes for communities in and around selected tourist attractions.

Qualified participants for the photo competition and exhibition comprise freelance professionals and amateur photographers, photojournalists, expatriate, tourists, students and people with passion for past-time photography.

The competition would give awards in six categories including the best male and female photographer and the best student photographer. Mr Pinto urged all those interested in the event to enter their photos and to support the establishment of the national photo book.