By Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Ho, Nov. 01, GNA – Mr Harrison Kofi Belley, Chairman of the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has called for strategic investments and stronger partnerships to unlock the tourism potential of the Volta Region and position it as a leading sustainable tourism destination in Ghana.
He said the region possessed enormous natural and cultural assets that could be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities through deliberate planning, investment, and collaboration among stakeholders.
Mr Belley made the call during a welcome address at the Fourth Volta Regional GJA Media Awards held at the SkyPlus Hotel in Ho at the weekend.
The event was held on the theme: “Unlocking the Tourism Potentials of Ghana: Positioning the Volta Region as the New Sustainable Frontier.”
Mr Belley noted that although Ghana was endowed with abundant tourism assets, including historic sites, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife reserves and cultural festivals, greater efforts were needed to maximise their economic and developmental benefits.
According to him, tourism must be viewed not merely as a leisure activity but as a strategic tool for economic transformation, job creation, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and community development.
He described the Volta region as one of Ghana’s most promising tourism destinations, citing its scenic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, hospitable communities and diverse tourism experiences.
He identified eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, community-based tourism, marine and coastal tourism, as well as wellness and retreat tourism as key areas with significant investment potential.
He emphasised the need to develop the region’s mountains, waterfalls, forests, lagoons, and coastline into attractive destinations capable of drawing both domestic and international tourists.
Mr Belley, however, cautioned that tourism development must be pursued responsibly to protect the natural environment and preserve the cultural identity of host communities.
He called for improvements in road infrastructure, sanitation, visitor safety and hospitality services, while encouraging responsible private-sector investment in the tourism industry.
The Regional GJA Chairman also underscored the need to empower young people, women, artisans, farmers, transport operators and small-scale business owners to participate meaningfully in the tourism value chain.
“The young people of the Volta region should not merely watch tourists arrive and depart. They must become tour guides, hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs, cultural ambassadors, creative artists and investors who drive the industry,” he stated.
Mr Belley highlighted the critical role of the media in promoting tourism and attracting investment into the region.
He urged journalists to use their platforms to discover and promote lesser-known tourist destinations, document local stories, and showcase the region’s cultural and natural attractions.
According to him, many destinations remained underdeveloped and largely unknown because of inadequate publicity despite their significant tourism value.
He encouraged media practitioners to adopt innovative storytelling approaches, including documentaries, investigative reports, travel features and digital content creation, to place the Volta region firmly on the international tourism map.
Mr Belley said journalism should go beyond reporting challenges to highlighting opportunities, inspiring innovation and holding stakeholders accountable for development commitments.
He also appealed to corporate organisations, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, mining and energy firms, tourism operators, development partners and individuals to support the establishment of the GJA Volta Regional Press Centre.
He described the proposed facility as an important investment in professional journalism and regional development, noting that it would provide a dedicated space for media training, research, press briefings, professional engagement and collaboration.
The centre, he said, would also serve as a platform for promoting the region’s tourism potential, attracting investment and amplifying the development aspirations of local communities.
Mr Belley expressed appreciation to Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, for supporting the initiative and called on other stakeholders to contribute financially, materially and technically towards its completion.
He suggested support in areas such as construction materials, office equipment, furniture, information and communication technology infrastructure and conference facilities.
According to him, supporting the project would leave a lasting legacy while strengthening an institution that promotes democracy, accountability and responsible journalism.
Mr Belley congratulated nominees and award recipients, describing journalism as an indispensable pillar of democracy and national development.
He also commended the Awards and Planning Committees for successfully organising the event and expressed gratitude to sponsors for their continued support.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate the region’s tourism potential into tangible investments, employment opportunities and improved livelihoods.
He reiterated that positioning the Volta region as Ghana’s new sustainable tourism frontier would require collective commitment, strategic partnerships and sustained investment.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah