Local investors, private sector asked to invest in domestic tourism

Story by Isaac Asare, News Editor GBC URA Radio

Regional Director  of GBC, Asibi Banguu Ekella presenting an award

GBC URA Radio wins tourism orient media house.

The Director, Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ben Ohene-Aye has challenged local investors and the private sector to invest hugely in the country’s tourism and commit adequate resources to improve on existing ones.

He was emphatic about the hospitality industry, which according to him can help improve the local economy when given the needed attention.

He said tourism is a lucrative venture and so it behoves  the private sector to take advantage of the industry to reap the benefits.

He moreover encouraged local investors not entertain fears in the area of tourism investment as it create window of opportunities.

Mr Ohene-Aye made the call at this year’s regional tourism awards held in Bolgatanga.




The Upper East Region could boast of a number of attractive tourist sites.

These include, the Tenzug Shrine, Tongo hills, Paga crocodile pond, Sirigu Pottery and Arts and the Tono irrigation dam site.

The rest are the Navrongo Catholic Cathedral, Bongo rocks and caves, the Kulungungu bomb site, Woriyanga legendary mosque among other untapped resources.

Despite these great potentials, the region is considered as one of the most deprived areas where poverty is said to be endemic.

Mr Ohene-Aye said notwithstanding the challenges in the region’s tourism sector, there has been significant improvement over the years, an indication that the future of the industry was certain.

He identified poor customer service as a major challenge and announced plans by the authority to establish a school that will train industry players on quality customer service delivery.

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme and a Council of State Member for the region, His Excellency Adenzi Kanga, underscored the need for residents to showcase the regions great tourist potentials to the outside world.

The former Deputy Commissioner of the EC, His Excellency Kanga, who also chaired the occasion, observed that showcasing rich tourism viability of the region will not only demystify the negative perceptions that outsiders have about the region but also attract potential investors to the region to propel its developmental efforts.

He said tourism was one of the key foundations of the Ghana’s economy and still contributes to the growth of the country’s GDP.

He was therefore of the ardent conviction that should tourism be given the needed push it will project both the image of the region and the country while creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth.

At the event were dignitaries including revered chiefs and departmental heads.

Also present were retired educationist, Robert Ajene, the Regional Director of FDA, Zakaria Braimah and the Regional Director, CNC, Helen Akanbong.

In all, 25 awards in the form of citation were given out to individuals and institutions that excelled in the area of tourism for the year 2014.

There were 11 honorary awards and 14 competitive awards. GBC URA Radio won the tourism orient media house in recognition of its outstanding performance in the delivery of its local content.

The Regional Director, Madam Asibi Banguu-Ekella received the award on behalf of the station.

GBC