‘Patronise, promote Ghana’s tourist sites’

THE Forestry Commission has urged Ghanaians at home and in the diaspora to patronise and promote the country’s tourist reserves, saying Ghana has attractions that compare favourably with those in other countries.

The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Mr Timothy Ataboadey Awontiirim, said increased patronage would help showcase Ghana’s natural attractions to the rest of the world.

He made the call in Accra on Tuesday at the opening of activities to mark World Tourism Day.

Mr Awontiirim said Ghanaians should take a greater interest in the country’s reserves and encourage people to visit its tourist attractions.

“Look at other sites; when you compare our sites to them, they are far better than them,” he said.

“We are asking Ghanaians across the country, and those in the diaspora, to encourage people to patronise our reserves, to come and patronise what Ghana is made of and showcase it to the world.”

He said tourism offered Ghana an opportunity to generate economic value while preserving the country’s natural resources for future generations.

Mr Awontiirim argued that tourism provided a more sustainable economic opportunity than relying heavily on natural resources such as gold and cocoa.

“We have come to understand that tourism is the best investment you can get, not your cocoa, not your gold that has plagued us with a lot of galamsey, diseases and water issues. Tourism is green,” he said.

“Tourism is what will stand the test of time, not our minerals, not our gold.”

He said the Forestry Commission was also using digital technology to make Ghana’s tourist attractions more accessible to audiences around the world.

The Commission’s World Tourism Day celebration is being held under the global theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, with the local sub-theme, “From Protected Areas to Smart Destinations”.

As part of the programme, the Commission is organising a Smart Eco-Tourism Hackathon to develop artificial intelligence and software solutions for Ghana’s parks and reserves.

The solutions are expected to improve visitor management, provide immersive digital access and support data-driven anti-poaching efforts.

An Eco-Tourism Innovation Exhibition is also showcasing technologies, including virtual reality trail previews, drone-assisted canopy monitoring and contactless hospitality systems.

Mr Awontiirim stressed, however, that technology should complement Ghana’s natural attractions rather than replace them.

By Abigail Arthur

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