By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Botanga (N/R), Sept. 27, GNA – Mr Angelo Dogbe, Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has called for increased private sector investments in eco-tourism initiatives to accelerate sustainable development and position the Northern Region as a premier destination for adventure and cultural tourism.
Speaking at the 2025 United Nations World Tourism Day celebration at the Botanga Eco Resort in the Kumbungu District, Mr Dogbe said the theme for this year’s event, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” underscored the critical role of tourism as an engine of economic growth and a tool for protecting the environment and transforming communities.
He described the Botanga Dam enclave as a “perfect symbol” of the balance between nature, culture, and enterprise, noting that its rich blend of attractions including boat cruises, jet-ski rides, kayaking, quad biking, and scenic landscapes demonstrated how tourism could thrive in harmony with environmental conservation.
Mr Dogbe highlighted the vast potential of the Botanga area for hospitality facilities, adventure tourism, and agro-tourism ventures, stressing that the District Assembly and the GTA were committed to providing a supportive environment and technical guidance to investors interested in developing the site sustainably.
“Tourism thrives when we safeguard the very assets that attract visitors – our landscapes, water bodies, and cultural heritage – while at the same time creating jobs and stimulating local economies,” he said.
The Northern Regional edition of the World Tourism Day celebration was organized in partnership with the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale Technical University, the Ghana Hotels Association, and other stakeholders.
As part of the day’s activities, participants undertook tree planting and sporting events to symbolize their collective commitment to environmental stewardship and youth involvement in tourism development.
Mr Dogbe urged stakeholders to use the occasion as a rallying point to promote responsible tourism, strengthen partnerships, and attract bold investors into the sector.
“Together, we can ensure that the Northern Region shines as a premier destination for eco-tourism and a model of sustainable transformation,” he stated.
Professor Raymond Adongo of the Department of Ecotourism and Hospitality Management at UDS said the potential for eco-tourism in Northern Ghana was enormous and could generate the resources needed for development. He, however, noted that the sector was not adequately developed to attract the required investments.
“Sometimes we all get stressed out from work and need to recreate for a refreshed mind and renewed energy. I think the Botanga Eco Resort is the perfect destination to relax, especially with our families,” he added.
Mr Cosmos Muniru Mohammed, Northern Regional Chairman of the Tour Guides Association of Ghana, emphasized the need for government and stakeholders to show greater interest in eco-tourism to help bridge the development gap between the North and the South.
He particularly called for support to develop a bird sanctuary at the Botanga Eco Resort to attract more tourists.
Ms Amadu Aisha, a tourism and hospitality student at Tamale Technical University, appealed to the government to make the teaching and learning of tourism more attractive to build the human resource capacity needed to manage the sector effectively.
World Tourism Day, marked annually on September 27, seeks to raise global awareness about the role of tourism and its impact on social, cultural, political, and economic values.
The regional celebration therefore served as a platform to advocate sustained investment and policies that maximised tourism’s contribution to the Ghanaian economy and the wellbeing of the people.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade