The Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the newly appointed Tourism Minister Catherine Afeku has handled matters pertaining to her sector.

GHATOF, in a statement signed by the National President of Okatakyie Nana Anim I, disclosed that “in the few weeks of the transition period, we have been privileged to work with His Excellency the President’s choice of Minister of State responsible for the sector and are in a position now to state that we are impressed by her quick appreciation of issues relating to the sector and her ability to articulate same.”

“Her open-door policy is an encouraging proof of her readiness to move the sector forward.

“It is against this backdrop, coupled with our hope for continued cooperation that GHATOF congratulates Hon Catherine Ablema Afeku on her appointment and welcomes her into the fraternity of tourism stakeholders,” the federation stated.

The $2.5 billion industry with the potential to grow in excess of $4 billion by 2020 can be exploited for job creation, rapid rural industrialization and balance of payment, according to the statement.

GHATOF assured the minister that the NPP’s ‘One District One Factory’ agenda falls in line with the tourism sector’s plan, adding that “it is the surest policy to give meaning to the concept of cottage industry and provide the seed for rural industrialization.”

The federation asked that the spirit of traveling be inculcated into students as a way of encouraging domestic tourism, adding that “the West African Examinations Council be prevailed upon to come up with a comprehensive syllabus for a course in tourism and travel.

It welcomed Akwasi Agyemang and Kojo Antwi as CEOs of the Ghana Tourism Authority, the implementing agency of the Tourism Ministry and the Ghana Tourist Development Company, the investment wing of the sector.

“Our initial interaction with them gives us cause for hope for the future of the sector. We are particularly impressed by their pro-active approach to issues relating to the industry and the unprecedented and commendable level of cooperation between the two institutions,” the federation said.