Private sector urged to invest in tourism industry
Atibie (E/R), April 09, GNA -
The Minister of Tourism and the Diasporan Relations, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, has called on individuals and private sector to invest in the tourism industry for the country to generate adequate financial resources to improve the economy. He said the tourism industry has the potentials which, if properly developed would be a major foreign exchange earner for the country. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey was speaking at the launching of this years' Pepsi-Ferdinand Ayim Kwahu Paragliding festival at the Odwenanoma Mountains near Atiebie in the Kwahu South District.
He said the festival has been named after the late Ferdinand Ayim, a Special Assistant to the Minister of Tourism and Diasporal Relations who lost his life in a motor accident on his way to Kwahu to organized last year's Paragliding festival.
The Minister appealed to Ghanaians and foreign tourists to patronized the paragliding festival. He commended Pepsi Cola Company and other sponsors and the Kwahu South District Assembly for their contribution towards the festival.
He said visitors from the United Kingdom, France, United State of America, South Africa and Australia are taking part in this year's festival.
Mr Asare Otchere-Darko, Managing Editor of the Statesman Newspaper who was a special guest at the programme, appealed to the industrious Kwahu citizens to invest in the festival with the construction of hotels in the area for the increasing number of tourists who visit tourist sights in the district.
He said the nation has potentials in historical sites , scenery, climate and beaches but only a few of these resources have been developed and urged the government, private sector and other investors to come out with innovations to diversify and develop the tourism potential in the country.
Mr Otchere-Darko, a relative of Freddy said the country's rain forest with vast national parks such as mole in the North would make excellent camping , trekking and wild life location and could be a big foreign exchange earner for the country if properly managed. The District Chief Executive of Kwahu South, Nana Onwona Asante said the district was gradually establishing itself as a tourist destination to enhance its economic development.
He acknowledged the Ministry of Tourism's contribution towards tourism development in the district and appealed for more sponsors to develop other tourist sites in the district to attain international standard.
Source:
GNA
Govt to consider utilizing Buipe lime deposit
Sawla(NR), April 09, GNA -
Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister last weekend said Government would consider utilizing the Buipe Lime deposits for development with the establishment of a cement factory at Buipe to meet the increasing demand of cement in the building industry.
He therefore called on chiefs and people of Gonjaland to ensure peace prevailed to enable Government and its development partners explore socio-economic potentials in the area for development, adding "there could be no development in an atmosphere of conflicts." Alhaji Idris was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Gonjaland to climax activities marking the Annual Congress of Gonjaland Youth Association (GYA) at Sawla.
The annual congress rotates among towns in Gonjaland during the celebration Easter to foster unity and mobilize funds to support education and development.
This year's congress was under the theme: "Peaceful co-existence-a necessary tool for development."
Alhaji Idris said Government would in addition; rehabilitate the Fufulso-Damongo-Sawla road, Damongo water and Bui Dam projects to improve the economy and living standards of the people in northern Ghana.
Mr James Kipo, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Chief Executive asked the people of Gonjaland to use the congress to interact and discuss development in the area.
He called on them to ensure peace prevailed to enhance development. The Saalawura, Alex Iddi, a representative of Yagbonwura advised the youth to unite to promote peace in Gonjaland.
He called on Government to expedite action on the Bui Dam project to provide employment to the youth.
Source:
GNA
In Solidarity With The Fraternity
(A GNA Feature by Mohammed Nurudeen Issahaq)
Bolgatanga, April 7, GNA -
There was this interesting man in my village who never missed a funeral occasion. When the solemn part of the ceremony was over, he would get up and announce, "Please lend me your ears! If there is anyone here today who knows he or she would attend my funeral when I die, let them give me their contributions now while I am still alive."
The announcement would draw chuckles from the crowd, but he meant business. He would take his cap off his head and hold it around like a bowl, and sympathizers would drop little notes and coins in it. When he had gone round full cycle, he would shout "Thank you. May I rest in peace."
Public response to the death and funeral celebration of the late Samuel Ennin, the late Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (May his soul rest in peace) has been overwhelming, to say the least. The expressions of sympathy, condemnation, empathy and anger have been simply amazing. Above all, the high profile burial ceremony attended by no less a personality than President J.A. Kufuor himself, accompanied by the First Lady, the Asantehene and prominent Ministers of State, leaves no one in doubt about how cordial government-media relations in this country is today, in spite of occasional excesses on the part of the latter.
Please don't get me wrong. Before I go on further with this discussion, I wish to register that the scenario recounted in the opening paragraphs above is not to imply that Sam died a needy man (even though many a journalist in the country today have difficulties making ends meet). Nor is it an attempt to undermine the sympathy shown by the general public in the wake of that most unfortunate incident involving the late Samuel Ennin. Far from it!
The entire event, however, is rather unprecedented. In deed, it underscores the fact that in spite of the condemnation and name-calling journalists have had to put up with, the Ghanaian public really appreciates their good works. You know, just like lambasting journalists for being "konkonsa" or nosy, and yet patronizing with relish the tabloids that churn out scandal, gossip and muck.
On the whole, it could also be intepreted as a pointer to the healthy fact that the Ghanaian media landscape is a vibrant one, and that journalists in this country, despite all their shortcomings, are playing the role expected of them in the sustenance of the ongoing democratic dispensation. Certainly, it is a great feeling knowing that one's effort is being appreciated and, as a matter of fact, the Head of State's appearance at the funeral of the late Regional GJA Chairman came as no surprise at all to many a journalist.
However, the greatest legacy to Sam's memory, and the wish of many among the Inky Fraternity, is that this wonderful demonstration of public sympathy and support be translated into public advocacy for better conditions of service for journalists in our land. It would motivate them to work even harder and strengthen their resolve to soldier on in the cause of truth and social justice. Ultimately, it would be to the benefit of society.
Under the present circumstances, remuneration for journalists nationwide, especially those working with the State-owned media, is nothing to write home about. With no intention whatsoever to provide any justification, it ought to be acknowledged that this deficiency has been the primary reason for unprofessional conduct such as sacrificing truth for the Cedi and other related ills for which journalists in the country are being blamed.
The fact remains that a well-paid reporter would be more capable of resisting the temptation to ask for "soli" than his poorly paid colleague, for instance. Low self-esteem and the lack of assertiveness on the part of many a media practitioner are to a large extent the result of poor remuneration and unsatisfactory conditions of service. The situation translates into sub-standard performance, including the reluctance to go the extra mile for a good story, the lack of initiative, partisan reportage and other unprofessional traits. And while we are at it, it goes without saying that the prayer of every journalist this Easter should be for the Good Lord to assist the security agencies with divine intelligence to enable them to bust Samuel Ennin's murderers before too long. That would surely be a memorable day; the screaming headlines and all!
Just as with the Freedom of Information Bill, time is a ripe to solicit public support in persuading Government and the Boards of media organizations to take a bold step to review the conditions of service of journalists. It is logical to contend that having gained freedom, the other important ingredients that would enhance the professionalism and performance of the Ghanaian journalist are training opportunities and the creation of conditions that would motivate them to give of their best. No wonder, at one of the meetings of the Inky Fraternity, someone muted the idea that a plea be made to His Excellency the President to consider including it in his Special Initiatives. 07 April 07
Source:
GNA