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The government has announced that an amount of GH₵38,918,393.00 has been allocated to the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts sector for the year 2016.
Finance Minister Seth Terkper made this known when he presented the 2016 Budget Statement to Parliament, Friday.
According to him, GH₵28,761,706.00 of the amount will be provided by the Government of Ghana (GoG) while the remaining GH₵10,156,687.00 will be from internally generated funds (IGF).
The allocation, the Minister said, is to enable the sector implement key programmes and activities next year.
The Minister noted that as part of government’s Tourism Product Development Programme, the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Ministry has completed the construction of the Accra Visitor Information Centre (AVIC) and will commission the facility by the end of the year to provide one-stop shop information to tourists.
“Stakeholders were engaged for the preparation of the Marine Drive Tourism Development Plan which is aimed at transforming the entire stretch of Land from the Osu Castle to the Arts Centre area with variety of tourism facilities,” the Minister said.
He added that, in 2016, the Ministry will continue with its engagement with key stakeholders including MDAs/MMDAs, Traditional Authorities and the Private sector to mobilize support for the development and packaging of tourism, culture and creative arts products. “The District Tourism Offices will be commissioned to decentralize tourism administration in the country.”
As part of efforts to sell Ghana to the world in 2016, the Ministry will continue to position Ghana’s tourism on the global market at various international fairs through international exhibitions and cultural events, the Minster revealed
The government said in pursuance of developing and promoting Ghana’s culture and creative arts, the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Ministry will finalise a legal and regulatory framework for the culture and creative arts industry for submission to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.
“It will also organise cultural exchange programmes for entrepreneurs; creative artistes overseas; National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC); Regional and National Drama Festivals for Schools and Colleges; and KIDDAFEST International Youth Programme,” Seth Terkper opined.
The Finance Minister said the GH₵38,918,393.00 allocation will help in the successful implementation of the above initiatives and others projects.
Credit: Myjoyonline.com
