By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, May 26, GNA-Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture, has pledged her commitment to revitalizing the tourism and creative industry in the Volta Region, and the country at large.
She said the Ministry was therefore seeking greater collaboration with key stakeholders, especially Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), on how to market their potential and tourists’ sites to activate visibility.
She said the Ministry was poised to guide the MMDAs to harness their ‘low-hanging fruits’ for showcasing locally, nationally and internationally.
Madam Gomashie, also Member of Parliament of Ketu South Constituency, said this during a three-day working tour of potential tourists’ areas in the region, to assess challenges and opportunities within the sector.
She also challenged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to help identify and promote hidden cultural and natural attractions in their areas.
“Each district has something unique. We must work together to uncover and market these assets,” she urged.
Madam Gomashie referenced initiatives such as the photo competition with UNESCO, which aimed to showcase unexplored cultural sites, dances, and traditions.
“Not everyone is drawn to waterfalls. Some prefer monkeys, others fashion or music. The more diverse our offerings, the more people we attract,” she added.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency, the Minister said: “The Volta Region holds immense untapped tourism potential, and it is time we unlock it for both economic and cultural development.”
The Minister was accompanied by officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Tourism Development Company, and other agencies under her Ministry.
The tour is part of a nationwide agenda to boost domestic tourism and enhance Ghana’s image as a preferred travel destination.
During the visit, Madam Gomashie toured some of the region’s notable attraction sites, including Praise City, popularly called “Point and Kill,” at Adaklu district, the famous Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, and the breathtaking Wli Waterfalls in the Hohoe Municipality.
She also paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Queen Mother of Ho Asogli Traditional Area, Mamaga Akua-Dei II, whom she fondly referred to as “home.”
During the meeting, plans were announced for the Volta region to host the 2025 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC).
“This year’s NAFAC will be one of the biggest cultural showcases the Volta region would have ever hosted, and we are counting on the traditional authorities for their support,” the Minister disclosed.
The Minister mentioned that her Ministry was reviewing several key tourism conventions and policies to better reflect the specific needs of the region.
“We’re realigning national policy to address the regional peculiarities, especially when it comes to creative arts and cultural preservation,” Madam Gomashie said.
The visit included strategic engagements with the Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, MMDCEs, tourism operators, and creative industry players.
Discussions centered on challenges such as infrastructure deficits, funding gaps, and poor road accessibility to many tourist sites.
Mr James Gunu reiterated the region’s readiness to partner with the Ministry and other agencies to tackle these issues.
“I am fully aware of the gains in the hospitality industry, and I won’t waste time joining with my technical know-how to push the sector forward,” he stated.
The Regional Minister also highlighted the importance of promoting the peaceful and secure environment of the Volta region as a unique selling point.
He noted that the region could boast of over 120 tourist sites, many of which remain undiscovered due to accessibility issues.
“There’s no doubt that Volta is Ghana’s tourism treasure chest, and with the right investments, we can shine a light on these hidden gems,” Mr Gunu emphasized.
The delegation discussed innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships as critical tools to advance the sector.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah and Lydia Kukua Asamoah