Sunyani, July 23, GNA, Mr Philip Ntiamoah, Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of Ghana Hoteliers Association has called for more stringent measures to get rid of those who loiter the streets, hawkers, lunatics and pickpockets from certain locations in the country. He said their presence in such areas was a negative mark for the tourism industry as well as promoting prostitution.

Mr. Ntiamoah, who is Director of Tano River Lodge in Techiman made the call at a general meeting of the Association in Sunyani. He noted with concern the increasing number of such persons at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, Kejetia station in Kumasi and other urban centres.

"The situation will definitely impede progress in the country's preparations towards CAN 2008 tournament and the celebration of the 50th Independence anniversary next year in view of the fact that many tourists will be attracted to the country", he said.

Mr Ntiamoah said efforts must be made to resettle such persons on state farms so they could become productive and useful citizens. He advised hotel proprietors in the region who had had not registered with the Association to do so to strengthen it. Nana Kwaku Amponsah, Director of Kwapon's Hotel at Atebubu asked the executives of the association to rotate the general meetings to enhance efficiency and to promote unity and understanding among members to enhance efficiency.

Mr. Charles Adu Gyamfi of South Ridge Hotel in Sunyani advised proprietors of hotels to ensure good financial management and training of their staff to be able to meet challenges in the industry. In a resolution adopted at the end of the meeting, the members called on their defaulting colleagues to pay up their dues before September to avoid being sanctioned.