Ga Mashie to become tourists’ site

Accra, June 25, GNA – The Ministry of Tourism has identified the rapid development of old Accra (Ga Mashie), as a major boost to tourism in the national capital.

“With the listing by UNESCO of the Forts as world heritage sites and the identification of 150 buildings deemed to be of historical importance, Ga Mashie is in a unique position to top the tourism map of Ghana,” Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah, the sector Minister said.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, she called for closer collaboration between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Ga Mashie Development Agency, to annex all the tourism opportunities in the area.

“We should exploit the advantages of these unique assets endowed in Ga Mashie to attract tourism and also boost employment,” she added.

She cited forts, lodges, mansions, warehouses and the former headquarters of prosperous European and African trading companies as some of the rich heritage.

The Minister called for the enforcement of strict sanitation rules in Accra since tourism does not thrive in a filthy environment.

Mr. Humphrey Kuma, Director of Policy Planning, at the Ministry called for the enforcement of sanitation laws and the total beautification of Accra, since it is the first port of call for any tourist in the country.

He pledged his Ministry's commitment to the promotion of standardised facilities in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Kuma appealed to the AMA to use part of its revenue to build toilet facilities for communities along the coasts to prevent people from defecating at the beaches.

GNA