Gov’t to Construct ‘Akwaaba’ Hotels

High cost of accommodation has been identified as a major factor inhibiting the successful development and promotion of domestic tourism in the country.

To tackle this mishap, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has announced that it would construct Akwaaba hotels across the country, to provide affordable accommodation to people who patronize the country’s tourist attractions.

At the Meet the Press Series held at the Information Ministry Press Hall on Monday, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ms. Catherine Afeku said “the hotels conceptualized with the low-budget tourist in mind, especially Ghanaian domestic tourists, will also be eco-friendly.”

She indicated that the hotels would be funded under a Public-Private Partnership agreement, through which the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Tourist Development Company Limited, will use the land as equity while the private sector investor provides the funds for the actual construction.

Ms. Catherine Afeku further assured the media and stakeholders gathered at the briefing that her Ministry has completed the drawings, feasibility studies and secured investor interest from Ghanaians and foreigners.

According to her, some investors have gone as far as specifying which regions they want their Akwaaba hotels to be sited.

Centre of the World Project

Tema, is known to be the closest land settlement nearest or closest to the centre of the world, where the Equator and Greenwich Meridian meet at coordinate (O, O).

This actually indicates that Ghana is at the center of the World.

However, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts, intends to market this phenomenon.

They intend to construct an icon tower at Tema, in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Tema Golf Club and the Tema Community One Presbyterian Church.

According to Ms. Catherine Afeku, “We know that religiously, this is a seller. Already, people are finding their way to the Presbyterian Church at Tema to pray at the centre of the world. Our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, used to embark on pilgrimages to that part of Tema once a year for a spiritual retreat.

“We believe that with good marketing, people could be attracted to have their weddings at the centre of the world, set up businesses and advertise that their goods were manufactured at the centre of the world.”

She believes the country would benefit a lot if it links up with other countries on the Greenwich Meridian.

“The Tema Golf Course could be accredited to host tournaments at the centre of the world, including the likes of Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tournaments,” she said.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum/ thePublisher