Regional News of Sunday, 18 December 2011

Source: GNA

Tourism Minister seeks private sector investment for Dodi Island

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA – Ms Akosua Sena Dansua, Minister of Tourism at the weekend observed that Dodi Princess Island in the Volta Region, which has enormous investment opportunities to boost the tourism industry is lying fallow.

She therefore called on the private sector to take advantage of the island and make it a world class tourism destination.

Ms Dansua made the observation when he toured the island and cruised on the water body in the company of some members of parliament.

She said government alone cannot afford to develop the sector and attract tourists as the budget for the Ministry is inadequate, hence the need for the private sector to act as partners to provide facilities such as chalets on the island to facilitate tourism.

Ms Dansua expressed concern that the nation is losing the value of the island although it could generate income for the economy.

Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, Majority Leader said government can only provide infrastructure in the form of roads, electricity and other social amenities needed to make the island more attractive.

He appealed to the private sector to put up hotels in the area to create jobs for the people and enhance their standard of living.

Mr Rashid Pelpuo, Deputy Majority Leader, affirmed the Majority Leader’s view in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that government could only provide utilities like electricity and water to the people in the area.

Master Solomon Humado, a form one student of Dodi Ashanti Presby Junior High School told the GNA that residents travel with boats to across the lake to Gyemani to attend clinic and school.