Day: April 22, 2024

The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has boosted the processing of cashew fruits with an initiative dubbed the Maximizing Gains from Cashew Production for Youth Development Project (MA-Cash).

The aim of the M-Cash project is to promote research into efficient methods of processing the by-product of cashew and its consumer acceptability.

The 18-month project will be carried out in two regions, notably the Bono and Bono East regions of Ghana.

The CSIR will engage relevant stakeholders and partners to implement the project.

The relevant stakeholders and partners include six farmer groups, the Institute of Industrial Research and Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited.

The MA-Cash project was launched at the Inception Workshop organized by the CSIR at their head office in Accra.

A report from the Bono Regional Ministry indicates that 900,000 metric tons of cashew fruits go to waste annually.

According to the regional ministry, the cashew fruits go to waste due to the absenc
e of processing materials, a disjointed value chain, price fluctuations, and a poor farm management culture.

Professor Charls Tortoe, Director of CSIR, said the project, when implemented, would scale up cashew processing in Ghana.

He said the MA-Cash project would address the post-harvest losses of the cashew fruits and improve the processing of the fruits into other products, including juices, concentrates, and drinks.

‘It may interest you to know that CSIR and the Food Research Institute’s (FRI) efforts to apply research findings to problems pertaining to cashew fruit waste, poverty alleviation, and youth-led sustainable economic growth have led to the development of the MA-Cash project.

We expect the project to reduce waste, enhance the quality of processed cashew fruits and by-products, and improve cashew yields through agrobiodiversity. We expect the project to increase income for youth groups who are successfully running their cashew businesses,’ he said.

Dr. Emmanuel Kyereh, a food scientist at th
e Food Research Institute (FRI), said the MA-Cash project went beyond the processing of cashew fruits since it included other aspects, particularly youth support programs.

He said the project would play a major role in improving the economic prospects of the cashew fruits since the economic benefits of the nuts had been fully utilized and realized.

Mr. Francis Owusu Ansah, Chief Business Officer for Opportunity International Savings and Loans, said financial institutions have a major role to play in the implementation of the project.

He said the financial institution’s role was to address the financial aspect of the project by providing the required support to businesses within the cashew fruit value chain.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The third edition of the ‘Meko Bono’ festival scheduled to be held at Techiman in the capital of the Bono East Region has been launched by the organizers, ‘Bonofie’ in the area.

The Bonofie’ is a Ghanaian but international event organization that promotes the socio-cultural and economic development of the Bono and Bono East Regions through tourism and culture.

This year’s festival marks the first to be held in the Bono East, following the previous two editions which took place in Sunyani in the Bono Region. The festival would feature a variety of activities to commemorate the event.

The kick off of the festival would be an opening of a trade fair on Saturday, August 24th, followed by a football competition on Sunday, August 25th, followed by a health screening exercise on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th, a display of magical performances by fetish priests on Wednesday 28th, and the Face of ‘Bonofie’ beauty pageant and Artist night on Thursday 29th August.

The carnival night would take place on Friday 30th Au
gust, with the grand durbar scheduled for Saturday August 31st and a thanksgiving service on Sunday September 1st.

Mr Obiba Kaakyire, a member of the ‘Bonofie’ team, emphasized the importance of preserving and uplifting the cultural heritage of the Bono people and called for the support of the Chiefs and people since tradition and customs were bestowed in the traditional authorities.

He said in addition to showcasing cultural values, the ‘Bonofie’ foundation had provided assistance to underserved communities and trained over 5000 youth with practical skills.

Barimah Mintah Afari, Chiraahene and Benkumhene of the Dormaa Traditional Council, emphasized the need for unity among Bono chiefs and the people, despite the regional boundary between the Bono and Bono East regions.

Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, the Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, and President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, graced the launching of the programme.

The ‘Meko Bono’ festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Bono culture
and a testament to the unity and strength of the Bono people.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Three persons who allegedly robbed a Quantity Surveyor at his residence at Anyaa and made away with his mobile phone and other electrical gadgets have been put before an Accra Circuit Court.

Richard Garbah, an Okada rider, Joseph Atiogbe, aka Jazzy a trader, and one Obed, aka Tinny now at large, were exposed after the complainant’s iPhone 14 Pro Max was tracked and retrieved from Stephen Morrison, an accountant and the fourth accused person.

Morrison is said to have told the Police that the iPhone was sold to him by Atiogbe.

Garbah, Atiogbe and Obed have been jointly charged with conspiracy and robbery.

Morrison was charged with dishonestly receiving.

Atiogbe and Morrison, who were present in court, pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusuaa Appiah remanded Atiogbe into police custody and granted Morrison bail in the sum of GHC50,000 with two sureties to be justified.

The court has adjourned the matter to May 8, 2024

The prosecution led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Eva
ns Kesse said the complainant’s name, withheld, was a Quantity Surveyor residing at Anyaa.

It said on July 27, 2023, at about 1:30 am Garbah, Atiogbe and Obed armed with cutlasses, broke into the apartment of the complainant, who lived alone at Anyaa.

The court heard that the three accused person assaulted the complainant and robbed him of his iPhone 14 Pro Max valued 25,000, Alcatel Smart phone valued GHC 1,500, iPod valued $99, TCL 55 inches television valued GHC10, 740, a decoder valued GHc250 and cash of GHC3,500.

The prosecution said the accused person forced the complainant to give them his iPhone password and thereafter locked him up in his bedroom and bolted with the booty.

The prosecutor said the complainant raised the alarm and a neighbour opened the door from the kitchen.

It said the complainant reported the matter to the Police.

During investigations, the prosecution said the iPhone of the complainant was tracked by the Police and the same was retrieved from Morrison.

It said Morrison told
the Police that he bought the phone from Atiogbe at GHC8,000.

Police intelligence led to the arrest of Garbah who had on him the complainant’s Alcatel phone.

According to the prosecution, Garbah said he also got the phone from Atiogbe who was then at large.

On March 23, 2024, Atiogbe was also arrested and during interrogation, he admitted selling the iPhone to Morrison.

The prosecution said Atiogbe disclosed that he bought the phone from Garbah and one Obed, aka Tinny who is at large.

The prosecutor said investigations so far had revealed that it was Garbah, Atiogbe, Obed who went to complainant’s house and robbed him of his items on July 23, 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPoA) has commended the government’s newly introduced Performance Tracker, but says the initiative needs ‘more transparency’.

It said more details must be provided on projects reported on the tracker and the scope must be expanded to include all government projects and ‘not just those of a particular regime’.

The government on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, launched the performance tracker, which captured various infrastructure projects by the New Patriotic Party administration since 2017, aiming to ensure accountability for projects implemented by the government.

It captured about 13,000 projects, which had been executed by the current administration at various locations across the country.

Mr Michael Donyina Mensah, Executive Director, CenPoA, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, highlighted lack of information on project timelines, among other concerns as some gaps in the tracker.

He said though the initiative ‘will improve access to information on
government’s physical infrastructural development’ in addition to other benefits, it did not include data on project costs and sources of funding.

‘The tracker does not provide information on project commencement and completion dates; and whether they are new or inherited projects. Without this information, it will be difficult to measure exclusive efforts and contributions of the current government as the tracker seeks to project.

‘The tracker does not include data on project costs and sources of funding as these will help assess the cost-benefits and value for money for the reported projects,’ Mr Mensah noted.

It added that some related projects had been ‘captured separately and could lead to data duplication’.

‘A school and its associated toilet facilities built at the same time are reported as two separate projects. Some privately funded projects found their way onto the list which should include only government initiated and/or sponsored projects,’ it observed.

‘Despite some of the challenging issue
s, we believe that the government performance tracker is a bold initiative by the government to ensure accountability and civic engagement.

‘To improve transparency and maintain the integrity of the tracker, more details must be provided on projects reported whilst the scope of the tracker must be expanded to include all government projects and not just those of a particular regime,’ the statement added.

CenPoA urged the government and the citizens to refrain from politicising the initiative to enable it to achieve its intended purpose.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A 26-year-old contractor has been arraigned for allegedly assaulting a man with a pinch bar.

Prince Ayivor has denied assaulting his victim, Tanko Seidu and was admitted to GHC10,000.00 bail with two sureties.

The Pakyi District Court presided over by Madam Dora Nsiah Jackson ordered that Ayivor deposited his Ghana card with the Court’s registry.

He is to make his next appearance on May 2, 2024.

Police Chief Inspector Christian Amartey told the Court that Seidu, the victim and complainant, was a straighter resident at Trede whilst Ayivor, the accused person, was a contractor resident at Nkoransah.

On March 1, 2023, at about 1200 hours, the complainant was returning from a site on motor bicycle and on reaching Trede Four Junction, he had a phone call and parked his motor bicycle by the roadside to receive the call, the Court heard.

The prosecution said whilst receiving the call, the accused person who was putting up a structure opposite the road, who had some issues with the complainant months ago, start
ed questioning him why he was looking at him.

Chief Inspector Amartey said the complainant asked the accused person how he also managed to know he was staring at him.

That did not go down well with the accused person, who went in for a pinch bar to assault the victim.

Chief Inspector Amartey said the complainant reported the incident to Trede Police and was issued with police medical form to attend hospital for examination, treatment, and report.

The Court heard that the accused person was arrested and handed over to the police.

Investigation cautioned statement was obtained from accused and after investigation, he was charged with the offence to appear before court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Indigenous charcoal production is an alternative source of livelihoods for most indigenous men and women in Asesewa in the Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region. 

The people engaged in commercial charcoal production rely on the charcoal business to fend for themselves and their families.

They are traders, and farmers with plantations of Acacia, alongside food stuffs of cassava, plantain, and maize farms.

The charcoal producers in the area have formed an association to tackle bottlenecks confronting their operations and sustain them in business, amid climate change impact.

Initiative

The group, Charcoal Producers Association, has initiated a project aimed at restoring the forest cover and depleted woodlands in the district.

Dubbed ‘fell-one, replace 10 trees’ the association believes environmental sustainability remains the surest way to sustain their socio-economic livelihood of the charcoal business.

They are currently undertaking an afforestation programme and planting more acacia trees to resto
re the vegetative cover and depleted forest resources in the area, as a measure to mitigate climate change impact.

Mr Joseph Narh, the Chairman of the Bisa branch of the Association told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) the charcoal producers were encouraged and supported to cultivate the acacia tree, which matured in six years.

Describing the charcoal business as lucrative, he said the initiative brings new hope to the producers, saying they had all embraced the initiative and undertaken the tree planting project.

He said there are about close to one million men and women engaged in the charcoal business spread across Asesewa, Adife, Kabo, Adife-Sokwenya, Bisa, Dawa, Djakane-Dawa, Kono-Dawa and Ogome-Dawa communities.

Climate adaptation and mitigation actions

Woodlands and rich forest resources are central and play an integral role towards mitigation of climate change impact in the country.

In fact, the country is experiencing the impact of climate change, including extreme heat, drying up of water bodies,
unpredictable weather patterns, erratic rainfall, among others.

Thanks to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for his commitment to the implementation of the International Climate Action Agenda which birthed the Green Ghana Initiative.

The President launched the initiative three years ago and declared June every year as a mass tree planting exercise that inspires corporate and religious bodies, institutions and every Ghanaian to plant, nurture and own a tree.

Checks reveal over 42 million trees had so far been planted to restore the vegetative covers and the nation depleted forest resources since the initiative was launched in 2021.

Further checks confirmed that though many of the trees were doing well, many others could not do well in the dry seasons.

Commenting on the potential of Green Ghana, Mr Narh said the Charcoal Producers Association picked inspiration from the government Initiative and had since cultivated and nurtured more acacia trees not only to enhance their charcoal business, but also co
ntribute their quota to mitigating climate change in the country.

‘As an association we are also committed to ensuring that the President’s vision for the nation on climate change succeeds’, he stated.

Credit Union

Most of the charcoal producers have joined the ‘Onyemi Kormor, Okormor’ Cooperative Credit Union, which means ‘your neighbour’s problem is your problem’ which had been in operation for decades in the area.

It is a self-help initiative to provide financial assistance to farmers, traders, and charcoal producers to expand their economic activities.

Mr. Narh, an executive member of the Co-operative Credit Union, said the union was also supporting the charcoal producers to engage in the re-afforestation programme.

Testimony

Addey, one of the charcoal producers, testified to the GNA that after felling a tree ‘we all ensure that we plant and nurture 10 trees which mature six years for harvesting’.

‘In fact, the initiative has been great for us in business. We are all on the lookout in ensuring tha
t anybody who fell an acacia tree for charcoal burning replace 10 additional trees’ he stated.

Another charcoal producer, Gifty Doe Tetteh said ‘we are all checking against wanton destruction of the forest cover,’ saying since the charcoal business was their source of economic livelihood, they were ready to plant more trees.

Employment Opportunities

Figures estimate the charcoal business fetched direct and indirect jobs for more than 100,000 people in the Eastern part of the country.

Tetteh said she had been in the charcoal business since childhood saying as a single mother it was the only source of livelihood for her family.

John Tetteh, a charcoal retailer at the Nkurakan market, also highlighted the need for all the charcoal producers to contribute to the tree planting exercise, saying that was the only way they could be sustained in business.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Thomas Fynn, a photographer and Executive Director, FYNNexhibits, has asked Government, Ministries, Departments, Agencies, organisations and individuals to invest in photography to boost Ghana’s tourism industry.

He said through photography, the country could project its rich culture and heritage and make it more visible to the rest of the world.

‘You can’t market your country without photography,’ Mr Fynn said, adding that, ‘Photography speaks louder than thousand words’.

He said this during the opening of a five-day photographic exhibition dubbed: ‘Spirit Possession’ being held on the theme: ‘Celebration of Ghanaian faces, African Culture and Heritage’.

The exhibition features themes from ancient historic monuments through ecotourism to ethno-cultural presentations.

They include rites of passage in Ghana, chieftaincy and traditional cultural festivals, traditional music and dance, cuisine, pristine beaches and landscapes, unique symbolism of political stability and unity, and socio-political history
of Ghana.

The event is being organised by Mr Thomas Fynn in collaboration with Tom Lamb, a photographer based in the United States, and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG).

The exhibition is taking place at the forecourt of CLOGSAG National Secretariat, Ministries, Accra, from Monday April 22 to Friday April 26.

Mr Fynn said most Ghanaians lacked understanding and appreciation of the value of photography, making it difficult for people to invest in it, especially regarding sponsorship of photographic exhibitions.

He encouraged young people to take up photography as a profession and to persist and persevere in the face of challenges so that they could excel in it.

He advised photographers to leverage digital technology to improve the quality and efficiency of their work and to use the backup mechanisms of digital technology to protect their works.

Ms Judith Kelly, Senior Corporate Affairs Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, noted that photography served as a medium for Ghanaia
ns to tell their story by transcending language barriers, raising curiosity and captivating the imagination of viewers.

‘This exhibition should not be seen as merely a display of artistic ingenuity, but as a powerful tool for promoting Ghana as a preferred destination. It is a way to tell the world how special our culture is and invite tourists to explore our shores and experience our hospitality,’ she said.

She said photographic exhibitions helped in promoting dialogue, exchange, and collaboration, leading to partnerships to further strengthen the nation’s tourist industry.

‘Let us continue supporting and encouraging initiatives like this exhibition, ensuring Ghana remains a beacon of cultural wealth and natural splendor for generations to come,’ she said.

Mr William Kojo Krakani, Deputy Executive Secretary, CLOGSAG, stressed that the home formed the basis of every culture and that to promote tourism, the nation’s culture should be promoted at the home level.

He said parents, especially should teach the
ir children the local languages, foods, and other elements of the indigenous culture to prevent them from becoming extinct.

By preserving the local culture, Ghanaians would have a lot to offer the world through tourism, he noted.

Nii Ayikwei Kakalor I, Kokomlemle Mantse, delivering a message on behalf of Dr Nii Ayi Bonte II, Gbese Mantse, expressed hope that the exhibition would project the rich culture of Ghana to the larger international community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Four more persons have been picked up by the police for their alleged roles in last week’s train accident at Abortia in the Volta Region.

They are Kokou Koudjo, a 34-year-old gas welder, Patrick Kwaku Sosu, a 52-year-old labourer, Alaza Prosper, a 28-year-old labourer and Fiadugbe Emmnauel, a 31-year-old labourer.

The four accused persons have been charged with ‘abetment of unlawful damage’.

They are alleged to have aided Abel Adzidotor, the driver of the truck, which caused unlawful damage to a Diesel Multiple Unit train.

The High Court presided over by Justice Mrs Lydia Osei-Marfo did not take their pleas and remanded them into police custody pending further investigations into the matter.

The prosecution, led by Christabel Selma Anafure, Assistant State Attorney, prayed the court not to take the pleas of the accused persons as investigations were underway.

ASA Anafure asked the court to remand them into police custody and grant them a short adjournment.

The court obliged the prosecution’s prayer and
asked the accused persons to secure lawyers of their choice by the next adjourned date.

The facts as read out in court are that the complainant is Dr Divine Olutey, an Engineer of the Ghana Railway Corporation.

The prosecution said on April 18, 2024, between 0900 hours and 1300 hours, the accused persons were on board a Hyundai Gold Truck with registration number GS 9018-20, driven by Dzidotor Abel (now a convict).

The prosecution said preliminary investigations revealed that Koujo, the first accused person, bought some blocks from a block factory at Juapong and conveyed same to Abortia using the underpass of the railway lines.

The court heard that the convict was in the car with the four accused persons.

After discharging the blocks at Kouko’s site, the prosecution said they decided to avoid the under bridge and cross the railway lines with the vehicle.

According to the prosecution, the four accused persons, being fully aware that the railway lines were inaccessible to motor vehicles, still decided to
use the railway lines as a ‘shortcut’ to get to Juapong.

The prosecution said when they arrived at the railway lines, they realised that it was impossible to cross over the railway tracks, hence they decided to place stones on the railway lines to serve as a path for the truck to cross over.

However, the prosecution said the truck still got stuck on the railway line.

The accused persons tilted the head of the truck and left the scene without providing any warning for trains playing the tracks.

The prosecution said investigations disclosed that there was no access route across the railway tracks connecting the Juapong road and that even if the truck had successfully crossed the railway, a big gutter on the westside of the railway lines would have prevented the accused persons from connecting the Akuse-Juapong road.

The court was told that on the same day, the management of the Ghana Railway Corporation led by the complainant and other 28 engineers from Ghana and Poland embarked on a test run of the new Di
esel Multiple Unit (DMU) Train from Tema to Mpakadan.

‘This test run had been announced ahead of time. When the train got to the Abortia area, it rammed into the Hyundai Gold Truck, which was stuck across the railway lines.

‘Both the train and truck got damaged. The train was sent to Tema for examination while the scrap of the vehicle, which was damaged beyond repairs was taken to the Juapong Police Station for further action,’ the prosecution said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Asogli State Council has registered strong disapproval of a planned renaming of the Ho Technical University (HTU).

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Technical University in 2018, endorsed a proposal by the Governing Council to rename the Institution after historic Ghanaian cultural icon, Dr Ephraim Amu, an indigene of the Volta Region.

Chiefs of the traditional State of the Volta regional capital vehemently rejected the proposal at a press conference on Monday, six years after the President made public the planned move.

Togbe Adzie Lakle Howusu XII, the Warlord of the State, said the University remained a revered establishment of the Asogli State, and recounted how the community bore manual labour to support its construction by the Dutch Government in 1968 as a technical school.

He therefore said the proposed name change would challenge efforts to preserve the history and relevance of the Institution, adding that Dr Amu, a Composer, musicologist, and tea
cher, the individual to receive the honour and fame, shared little with the disposition as a technical University.

Togbe Howusu decried the lack of consultation with traditional authorities over the new name, and alleged some possible political undertones in the renaming, which he claimed was being planned for execution sooner.

‘The attention of the Asogli State Council has once again been drawn to the attempts by the authorities of the Ho Technical University and the Government to rename the institute to Dr Ephraim Amu Technical University.

‘The Asogli State Council wishes to reaffirm our strong opposition to the government’s decision to rename the University without any consultation with the Chiefs and people of Ho who played a crucial role in the establishment of this Institute,’ he said.

He said the Ho Technical University, an esteemed institution in the public domain, held a special place in the Volta Region, particularly for the people of Asogli State on whose land the University was situated.

‘We
have a strong attachment to the University’s brand, which is steadily gaining recognition both nationally and Internationally,’ he stated.

Togbe Howusu said it was imperative that this progress and reputation remained undisturbed as frequent changes in the University’s name could lead to confusion among stakeholders, including students, alumni and the public regarding its identity and mission.

‘Our concern is heightened by the fact that the proposed name does not align with the University in any way. Names carry significant meanings and can impact institutions positively or negatively. The name of a university is closely tied to its history, identity, values, or mission.

He said as much as the Chiefs and people of Asogli State recognise the achievements of Dr Ephraim Amu and his contributions to the development of the country, these achievements, and contributions, though laudable, had limited relevance to the academic programmes and mission of the Ho Technical University.

Togbe Howusu said the Asogli Sta
te Council wished to remind the authorities of the Ho Technical University that major decisions affecting the University should be made in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, to avoid conflict and unnecessary confrontation.

‘We do not understand the motive behind the rush to rename the Ho Technical University and cannot see any serious justification for such a move other than for political expediency,’ re-echoed their total objection to the attempt to rename the University.

‘Our position is that the name of the Institute should remain ‘Ho Technical University,’ this is our position, and we firmly stand by it.’

Present at the press conference were chiefs and queens of the Asogli State, all who together processed to present copies of the petition to the Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, Mr Divine Bosson and the Management of the Ho Technical University.

‘What will happen if this name change goes ahead will not be pleasant,’ Togbe Howusu would say, while gi
ving out the petition.’

Dr Christopher Amehoe, the Registrar of the University, told the traditional council that presently there were no plans to rename the Institution, saying that the initial idea had been put on hold since 2018.

He gave the assurance that the petition would reach the appropriate quarters.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Pimampin Yaw Kagbrese V, the Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area has emphasised the importance of expanding the scope of tourism to showcase the rich customs, culture, and traditions of the country.

He stated that customs, culture, and traditions, such as cuisine, attire, languages, and relationship with nature, were essential components of tourism that showcased the identity of the people.

Pimampin Kagbrese V, also President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs was speaking at the launch of the third edition of the ‘Meko Bono’ festival in Techiman, organised by Bonofie, a Ghanaian event organisation dedicated to promoting the socio-cultural and economic development of the Bono and Bono East Regions through tourism and culture.

This year’s festival, the first to be held in the Bono East Region after two successful editions in Sunyani, was scheduled to take place from Saturday, August 24th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024, in Techiman.

Pimampin Kagbrese V said the tourism sector was contributing significa
ntly to the tourism sector of the economies of various countries around the world, saying as a result, nations were investing substantial amounts of money in developing their tourism potential.

He said in Ghana, the tourism sector was considered the cornerstone of the economy, with the government allocating vast resources to its development, citing the refurbishment of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, which had been attracting thousands of tourists.

He said the Bono Region possessed many tourist attractions that could easily rival those found in other countries; however, the region lacked sufficient publicity to effectively showcase its tourism potential.

Pimampin Kagbrese therefore implored the citizens of the Bono region to take pride in the rich heritage handed over to them by their ancestors, while emphasising the importance of preserving and promoting the culture to benefit both current and the future generations.

Mr. Joseph Appiagyei, the Bono East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, highl
ighted the significant impact of the ‘Meko Bono’ festival on the regio’s tourism sector, saying the festival had not only expanded the tourism base but had also introduced diversity into the region’s tourism contributions.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and government in developing tourist attraction sites to promote domestic tourism, which was crucial for all parties involved to work together towards enhancement of the tourism experience in the region to attract more visitors.

Mr Appiagyei provided statistics for the first quarter of 2024 patronage at the Kintampo Waterfalls, reporting that a total of 8,268 visitors were recorded between January and March, resulting in gross revenue of Ghc 110,755.

He said out of the visitors, 1,619 were children representing 20 per cent, 4,742 were students, 57 per cent, 1,502 adults representing 18 per cent and 405 were foreigners representing five per cent.

Mr Appiagyei noted that the data presented underlined the minimal impact of
foreign visitors, highlighting the significance of investing in domestic tourism to drive revenue to promote the growth of the tourism industry in the Region.

Source: Ghana News Agency