The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) recently released data on the most visited tourist sites in Ghana. The ten most visited tourist sites, according to the GTA, include Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, National Museum, Kakum National Park, Kumasi Zoo, and Cape Coast Castle.
The rest are Aburi Botanical Gardens, Elmina Castle, Bunso Arboretum, Accra Zoo, and the Manhyia Palace.
Conspicuously missing were tourist sites in northern Ghana.
This raised eyebrows of residents within the five regions of the north. But speaking about the issue, the Upper East Regional Manager for the GTA, Wisdom Ahadzie, who spoke to Mark Smith on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, explained that proximity remains a big reason there aren’t as many visitors in northern Ghana as there are within the south.
“The cities are where the visitors or tourists land first before deciding where to go. Some are business tourists. So in between their flights to go back, they have two or three hours to move around. The question is, where can I go within the shortest possible time? Where we are, though no fault of ours, is far away from the capital. We are talking about a day’s travel. So obviously, we would lose a lot of people who would be interested.”
Mr. Ahadzie also added that there needs to be more investment in the tourist sites in northern Ghana to drive patrons there.
Mr. Ahadzie explained that the government was in the process of renovating some tourist sites in the Upper East Region but needed private sector support to increase the rates of redevelopment and renovations.
“The private sector can come on board and provide some amenities; basic washrooms, reception facilities. Even things like restaurants, drinking spots around the place so that when someone visits there, the comfort and relaxation would all come together to complement the attraction,” he said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga|
