By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Sept 8, GNA – Journalists in the Oti Region have been urged to intensify efforts to promote the region’s rich tourist attractions and cultural heritage to domestic and international audiences to attract investors and development partners.
Madam Jean Marie Formadi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Biakoye Constituency, said tourism had the potential to become a major driver of economic growth in the region by creating employment opportunities, generating income for local communities and opening new avenues for investment.
She made the call in an exclusive engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), where she underscored the need for journalists to strategically use their platforms to market the region’s tourism potential and project its positive image to the rest of Ghana and the international community.
“Tourism is not only about people coming to take photographs and leaving. It creates jobs, puts money into people’s pockets, and provides places where people can visit, relax and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Madam Formadi said she envisioned a future where the Oti Region, particularly the Biakoye area, would become a major tourism destination in Ghana, attracting visitors, investors and international development partners.
She expressed the hope that “there will be a time when we talk about tourism in Ghana and Oti Region, Biakoye will be the gateway and the place everyone will be looking forward to visiting.”
The MP also called on stakeholders, traditional authorities, youth groups and residents to unite in promoting peace and social cohesion, warning that persistent violence and insecurity could undermine efforts to develop the region’s tourism sector.
She noted that the Oti Region, including Nkwanta South, was endowed with several tourist attractions capable of supporting local economic development, but that incidents of tribal disturbances could discourage tourists, investors and other potential partners from visiting the area.
Madam Formadi therefore urged all stakeholders to prioritise peace, tolerance and dialogue to create a safe and attractive environment for tourism and investment.
She said sustained peace was essential for unlocking the region’s tourism potential and enabling local communities to fully benefit from the economic opportunities associated with the sector.
She encouraged journalists to continue highlighting the region’s tourism, culture, natural resources and investment opportunities while projecting positive stories that could help change perceptions and attract visitors and investors to Oti.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/George-Ramsey Benamba