By Hafsa Obeng/Emelia Nkrumah
Accra, Sept. 02, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched the 2024 edition of “Tourism Month” with a call on Ghanaians to explore and savour the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
The month seeks to create awareness and enthusiasm in the tourism private sector and the public about Ghana’s culture through festivals and promote ‘Made in Ghana’ goods and services to boost creativity, and develop and strengthen the creative arts industry for active participation in the global market.
The initiative, which takes place every September, is also designed to boost domestic tourism by encouraging people to patronize prominent festivals and visit tourist attractions across the country.
Mr Davies Opoku Ansah, Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, launching the programme, said the “Tourism Month is observed every year in September and features a list of tourism-related activities and events such as festivals, musical concerts, tours, and climaxes with the World Tourism Day celebration on September 27.”
He said celebrating the month of September as “Tourism Month” focused not only on the visitors “but it also encourages indigenous Ghanaians to also explore the various tourism sites.”
“This initiative is geared towards encouraging the patronage of prominent festivals, events, tourist sites, and attractions in the country, as well as highlighting the critical roles domestic tourism plays in growing an inclusive and sustainable tourism economy,” he added.
Mr Ben Anane Nsiah, Deputy Chief Executive, GTA, said the ultimate objective of the Authority was to make tourism a year-long activity “that every time there is something that is driving the interest of people to the country.”
He said the Month fell within the period where many festivals were celebrated across the country, as well as the commemoration of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s World Tourism Day celebration on September 27.
Mr Anane-Nsiah said the economic benefits of festivals and events were enormous stating that, “Festivals and events attract visitors who invariably spend money on accommodation, local foods and beverages, transport, souvenir items, entertainment among others which boosts the local economy through the generation of revenue and job creation, especially for the youth.
Mr Seth Adjei Baah, Board Chairman, GTA said launching the month meant Ghanaians must travel around and have fun emphasising that, “if we do this, those in the hospitality sector will make wealth and this will build the sector and also the economy.”
“This year we are expecting 1.3 million foreigners to visit Ghana and if they come, we are going to inject about 3 billion dollars into the economy.
Let us appreciate and hold it fast, get ourselves involved and make sure that we can keep that spirit going so that we can develop our businesses and make the world the better place we want,” he added.
Madam Roberta Dawson Amoah, Director, Marketing, GTA, said the activities lined up for the celebrations included Gbawe Alokoto Street Arts Festival, Revival of Black Culture, This is Ghana Exhibition, Central Expo, 2024, Oguaa Fetu Afahye, Kobine Festival, Anfoega Yam Festival, Regional Festival Of Arts And Culture, and Ghana Fruits and Vegetables Fair.
Others are Millenium Marathon, Western Music Awards, Take-Off Party, Akwambo Festival, Regional Tourism Awards, Kundum Festival, Annual Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF), Akwantutenten Festival, Miss Tourism, Ghana, Womanne Arts Festival, Asanteman Homecoming, Adidi Kese3, 2024, “Yenko” Kwahu, Asogli Yam Festival, Calabash Colour Festival 2024, Urban Green Festival and Ghana Theatre Festival.
The rest are the Centre of the World Sea Cruise, UN World Tourism Day Celebration, United Nations World Tourism (UNWTO) Day Celebration’s “Seminar,” UNWTO Day –Musical Concert, UNWTO Day Celebration’s – Clean – Up Exercise, UNWTO Day Celebration’s – Cultural Showcase and Food Bazaar, UNWTO Day Celebrations – Football Match, and UNWTO Day Celebration’s – Choral Festival in September.
GNA