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Live up to expectations-Dep. Minister to Tourism Day Celebration Committee
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri, has charged the committee responsible for the organisation of this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration, to live up to expectations making the forthcoming event a memorable one.
Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Gusheigu Constituency in the Northern Region indicated that even with the Covid-19 on hand, the committee must strive to further market Ghana in the global Map in relations to Tourism Sphere.
This, according to him, would further spur Ghana’s image, given the huge success the nation has chalked in the Year of Return Programme by attracting both the International and Local tourists to Ghana’s attraction sites, and to also ensure that all the necessary COVD- 19 precautions were adhered to.
Dr. Zublim Iddi Barri made these remarks at the inauguration of the Planning Committee on this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration on the August 11, 2020, on the event slated for September 27 2020, under the theme: Building Peace, Fostering Knowledge.
He stressed that globally Tourism has been viewed as a lead sector for the economic growth and developmental transformational agenda, since it has the propensity to create jobs and accelerate infrastructural development.
Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri observed that many countries and local communities around the world including Japan, China and Korea had properly used tourism to improve on their socio- cultural and economies of their Nations, which had invariably reduced poverty in their countries.
He bemoaned that In spite of the African rich Tourism attractions, its continent is still lagging behind in its quest for development.
He, therefore, used the rare occasion to entreat committee members to discharge their duties with their utmost best.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. John Yao Agbeko also urged the committee members to fastrack their work in order to meet the timelines of the programme.
On her part, the President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and also the Co- Chairperson of the planning committee, Mrs. Bella Ahu, assured the Tourism Ministry that the committee would deliver to achieve the overall goal of making the forthcoming world Tourism Day a huge success.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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