Introduce tourism as a degree programme at GIJ - Minister

Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, on Monday suggested that Tourism be introduced as a degree programme at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

He said as future communicators, students should be interested in researching on tourism issues, knowing their history very well to enable them to communicate well and generate more interest in the industry. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, who was speaking at the inauguration of the GIJ Tourist Club, said the formation of the Club was a step forward in the generation of domestic tourism.

The Minister cited Morocco as an example where tourism was taken seriously and said a medical doctor in Morocco used seven years to train while a tour guide in Morocco used eight years.

Tourism created wealth, Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said, and challenged the students to find out more about the history of Osu in Accra and try documenting it.

"You can be very rich as an individual if you take the initiative to study tourism well and practice it well."

He advised members of the Club to be serious and to explore more instead of just engaging in ordinary tours around tourist sites. Mr Kwaku Rockson, Acting Director of the Institute, urged students to show special interest in tourism, as it was a great potential that could help boost the national economy.

He called for funding to enable the Club to organize tourism oriented workshops and seminars for students.

Mr Cabutey-Adodoadji, President of the GIJ Tourist Club, said it would inculcate into students the spirit of exploring Ghana's tourism potential and making them known. "We will make regular tours around the country visiting tourist sites and writing articles in the print media or making documentary videos about those sites to kindle the Ghanaian public's interest to visit those sites."