By Joseph Agrace Wiyorbie GNA
Jirapa (UW/R), Sept. 29, GNA – The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in the Upper West Region has planted different species of trees including fruit trees to celebrate World Tourism Day.
The celebration on the theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, formed part of the regional activities for tree planting.
The exercise held in Jirapa at the Royal Cossy Hills popularly called “Jirapa Dubai” and organised by (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in partnership with Royal Cossy Hills and Dellagio Hotel in the Upper West Region.
The event was to foster green Ghana initiative aims to create a more resilient and greener environment, which enhances the attractiveness of Ghana as tourists’ destination and supports the growth of the local economy.
It also aimed to create awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism, its cultural, social and economic values and benefits.
Mr Moses Ndewin Ndebugri, the Upper West Regional Director of (GTA), in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the exercise said this year’s observation highlighted how tourism could drive inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible growth.
The Director said the celebration, which is observed annually on 27th of September was to showcase tourism’s economic importance and contribution to the national economy and underscored the need for sustainable practices in the industry.
He, therefore emphasised that tourism played pivotal role in the county’s national heritage and socioeconomic development and called for critical emphasis in the sector.
The Director noted that when citizenry put a significant focus on sustainability and development Ghana’s tourism industry would transform for future generations.
He stressed that “there should be forest education awareness for people to desist from cutting down trees but rather plant more trees to promote Ghana’s tourism,”.
He added that tree planting would help to control climate change by moderating the weather effects.
Mr Ndebugri urged the residents to establish tree nurseries in the various communities across the country to improve tourism in the region.
“We have to consciously plant trees to sustain life on the planet for sustainable practices,” he added.
He noted that the commemoration of this year’s world tourism day would go a long way to help in the sustainability and development of the region due to its tourism potential.
” Planting more trees will help to care for the environment and replenish atmospheric oxygen,” he said.
Mr Ndebugri, called on everyone in the region to fully participate in this year’s exercise to cultivate the habit of continuously planting of trees to reap the numerous benefits in the future as well as safeguarding the environment.
As part of the celebrations, the Authority in the Upper West Region also organized a tour for 30 students at St. Francis Roman Catholic Primary School to the Royal Cossy Hills Safari to give experience and ecology of the area.
The students were exposed to different wildlife such as Hippopotamus, Lions, Zebra, Antelope, Jackal, Monkey, tortoise and others to experience the ecology of the area.
Mrs Galku Rina, Headmistress of the S. Francis Roman Catholic School expressed gratitude to the Ghana Tourism Authority for choosing the school to mark the celebration of this year’s World Tourism Day.
Some of the students in an interaction with (GNA) said the experience had impacted their lives and that it would improve their learning and broaden their knowledge of wildlife and cultural heritage.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /George-Ramsey Benamba