GH¢50 million fund to be rolled out for tourism sector players

Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal has announced a GH¢50 million facility to fund entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, as part of the post covid-19 economic recovery programme.

Taking his turn at the Parliament’s Appointment Committee, Dr. Awal said Ghana’s tourism sector has lost significant amount of investments to the covid-19 pendemic, and when thus given the opportunity as a minister, he will institute measures to ensure the sector is back on track.

Ghana is said to have lost about GH¢6 billion to the coronavirus pandemic due to restrictions on travel and tourism activities.

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President Akufo-Addo in the middle of last year rolled out GH¢600 million for the sector as a stimulus package to cushion the hospitality sector from the devastating effect of the virus.

According to the Minister-designate, although the fund has been disbursed to some sector players, there is the need for additional funds targeted at building the capacity of entrepreneurs in the industry, a situation he believes will boost economic recovery after the pandemic.

In Ghana here, tourism is said to have lost about GH¢6 billion from the effect of the pandemic and it is on record that after every catastrophe, there is a surge in tourism. We think it is time to enhance the capacity of our entrepreneurs so that they can take advantage” he told the committee.

The Minister-designate also touted his achievements at his previous ministry through the introduction of the presidential pitch and other private sector led initiatives which created employment for many youths in the country.