Ghana’s Tourism Industry—The Potential Of Mankarigu And North Gonja Towards Its Development

The tourism industry has for some time now contributed to the revenue generation in the country and is considered as one of the sectors that support the economy. Ghana's tourism sites are abundant and require massive investments in the sectors; public and private as well as the international world. The investments in the tourism industry will help to boost the sector and growth of the economy.

The nation's attractive sceneries and historic monuments need government attention despite the efforts being made in the tourism industry. Thanks for the Tourism and Creative Arts Ministry! It is in my interest to want to see the magic this ministry is going play to handle the tourism affairs in the few years to come. As said earlier, tourism sites are abundant in Ghana yearning for investments to serve the many curious tourists and students in the country.

For the purpose of this work, I will like to focus on the Mole National park which runs through the West and North Gonja Districts. The Mole National park which is one of the largest in the Ghana because of its land size and many animal species, is still grappled with many infrastructural challenges for prospective tourist. Thanks again to the National Democratic Congress Party under the leadership of the late president J. E.A MILLS and his able Vice president then, now President H.E JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA for taking bold steps to awarding the Damongo-Fufulso-Sawla road for construction. The construction of the road will help reduce drudgery associated with transportation to the Mole National Park. It is highly imperative to state that a lot needs to be done in the reserve as far as the North Gonja District which is curved out of the West Gonja District is concern.

The Western part of the North Gonja District is the Mole National park which stretches down to Mankarigu, the end of the District just before you cross to the Mamprugu Moagduri District. The Mamprugu-Moagduri is also curved out of the West Mamprusi District and shares boundary with the North Gonja District. This issue has attracted my attention due to the difficulties tourists go through in accessing the reserve especially from the neighboring countries. Tourists who pass through the two boarder post of the north (Burkina Faso and Togo) have difficulties accessing the reserve. The tourist from these countries will find it much easier passing through Mankarigu to place if there was a good road. The tourists that
make attempts to access the reserve normally get stranded at Mankarigu for lack of good road to have a feel of the interesting and attractive sceneries the reserve is endowed with.

It is necessary to mention that tourists would have found it much easier accessing the reserve at Mankarigu if there was a good road or improve infrastructure especially to those who passed the Bolgatanga-Sandema-Fumbisi roads than any other place. One cannot wait but to make suggestions and appeals that can go long way to assist and make the plying of the journey easy for the prospecting tourists.

I will like to appeal to the government to make it a duty to construct the Daboya/Mankarigu road and a road straight to the Mole National park and as well put up infrastructure such as hotels, motels among others to assist the District generate revenue for development. The facilities in the area would also help to create jobs for our teaming youth who are unemployed. Kudos to the Member of Parliament, Bani Abudu Nelson for bringing to light the need for government to construct the road to exploit the salt deposits at Daboya! The road will also serve as the shortest route for long vehicles that come from Mali and Burkina Faso to Buipe here in Ghana load refined petroleum.

The potentials of the newly created District, North Gonja will be a mere mention without the salt deposits and smock weaving business. I will prefer to describe it as “the reservoir of smocks” which is considered one of the national costumes. Please, Mister President, and presidents to come, helps us to develop these resources for the citizenry to reduce unemployment.

There can be no development without peace. My humble appeal goes to the youth of the area to eschew all acts of violence, pertinence, nepotism and tribalism and embrace peace, unity and all that matter to develop the embryonic District for the betterment of our lives and our generations today and generations yet unborn.