Director of the Upper East Tourism Board, Alhaji Hakeem Ismael has disclosed that although the region is blessed with a host of tourist sites, the region is not making any gains from tourism.
According to him, this is owed to the fact that the various tourist sites are community-based sites and are run by the various communities where these sites are found.
“Tourism is not making any gains in the Upper East region. The well-known tourist site in the region is the Paga crocodile ponds and even that is managed by the people of Paga. In Paga we have two ponds one is the Chief crocodile pond and the other is the Zenga crocodile pond. Now the Chief Pond is the property of the chief and is run by him and his family members so the monies gained from this site go to the chief. Same can be said about the Zenga Pond which is also owned by the community. The revenue made there are been enjoyed by a few people. So with this arrangement, nothing is expected to be gained from it.”
He added that even with the management of the place sometimes the committee tasked with the management at the community level do not exist or are indifferent about how the place is run hence the place is mismanaged and revenue gained goes to a select few.
He opined that it is time the various Assemblies collaborate with the local authorities in the management of the various tourist sites in their districts and Municipalities to ensure that the needed revenue is raked to improve the sector.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/a1radioonline.com/Ghana
