TIG Post

Tag: Agro-tourism

  • Some tourists may find Ghana unattractive if anti-LGBTQ+ bill becomes a law – Egyapa Mercer

    The designated Minister of Tourism, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, foresees repercussions on Ghana’s tourism industry if the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ Bill) is approved.

    Speaking before Parliament’s vetting committee on March 5, Mercer highlighted the potential deterrence for visitors due to the bill, emphasizing its impact on the country’s cultural identity.

    Despite these concerns, Mercer suggests that promoting domestic tourism could alleviate the potential decline in international tourist arrivals.

    He stressed the importance of effectively marketing Ghana to both citizens and foreign tourists to sustain tourism growth.

    Regarding the bill’s possible effect on Ghana’s attractiveness, Mercer acknowledges varying perspectives on lifestyle choices within the cultural setting.

    He emphasized the need to strategically promote Ghana and navigate the law, especially if the President assents to it.

    Mr Mercer asserted that, “All I can say is that it definitely will have an impact one way or the other. Some people who believe that lifestyle should be allowed everywhere may find Ghana unattractive. Some people who believe in our culture would find Ghana an attractive place.”

    The Tourism Minister-designate underscores the significance of marketing efforts to encourage people to visit Ghana, particularly by promoting domestic tourism. He believes this approach can address potential shortfalls or issues arising from decreased interest due to the new law.

    On February 28, Parliament passed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, penalizing LGBTQ sexual acts and promoting rights of non-conventional identities. While some welcome the bill, concerns about discrimination and constitutional freedoms have been raised by organizations like CHRAJ.

    Sam George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, argues that the bill aligns with the 1992 constitution, countering the concerns raised. The Finance Ministry advises against President Akufo-Addo signing the bill, citing potential financial challenges, including the risk of losing over $3 billion in World Bank funding for various programs and projects.

    In response, President Akufo-Addo reassures the international community of Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights. He highlights the ongoing legal challenge at the Supreme Court and assures that no action will be taken by the government on the bill until a decision is reached.

  • Anti-LGBTQ+ bill poses threat to Ghana’s tourism – Egyapa Mercer

    Anti-LGBTQ+ bill poses threat to Ghana’s tourism – Egyapa Mercer

    The designated Minister of Tourism, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ Bill) on Ghana’s tourism industry if it receives presidential assent.

    During his appearance before Parliament’s vetting committee on March 5, Mr. Mercer pointed out that the enactment of the bill, while reflective of Ghana’s cultural identity, could dissuade certain individuals from visiting the country, thereby affecting tourism.

    However, he suggested that promoting domestic tourism, encouraging citizens to explore their own country, could help mitigate any decline in international tourist arrivals.

    Mr Mercer emphasized the importance of effectively marketing Ghana to both its citizens and foreign tourists to sustain tourism growth.

    “I mean our culture is our culture, ultimately. And so if people want to experience our culture, it really matters whether we are opposed to a certain lifestyle within our cultural setting. But it all comes down to how you promote Ghana and position ourselves within the law, that is if the President assents to it,” he said.

    While acknowledging the potential impact of the bill on tourism, Mercer highlighted the need to carefully promote Ghana and position the country within the legal framework, particularly if the President approves the bill.

    He noted that individuals with diverse opinions on lifestyle choices might find Ghana either attractive or unattractive based on the cultural setting.

    “I mean our culture is our culture, ultimately. And so if people want to experience our culture, it really matters whether we are opposed to a certain lifestyle within our cultural setting. But it all comes down to how you promote Ghana and position ourselves within the law, that is if the President assents to it,” he said.

    Mr Mercer added “All I can say is that it definitely will have an impact one way or the other. Some people who believe that lifestyle should be allowed everywhere may find Ghana unattractive. Some people who believe in our culture would find Ghana an attractive place.”

    “….We are encouraging people to visit our country as opposed to others. If you promote domestic tourism, that will then help us to deal with whatever shortfalls or issues that may arise from some lack of interest because of this law,” Mr Mercer added.

    The Tourism Minister-designate underscored the significance of marketing efforts in encouraging people to visit Ghana, addressing any potential issues arising from the bill.

    He expressed optimism that promoting domestic tourism could help overcome challenges posed by a potential decrease in interest due to the new law.

    The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was passed by Parliament on February 28, criminalizing LGBTQ sexual acts and advocating penalties for those promoting non-conventional sexual or gender identities.

    Despite public support for the bill, concerns have been raised by entities such as CHRAJ, citing potential discrimination against individuals and infringement on constitutional freedoms. The Finance Ministry has advised President Akufo-Addo against signing the bill, citing potential financial challenges, including the loss of funding from the World Bank.

    In response, President Akufo-Addo reassured the international community of Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights. He noted that the bill is facing legal challenges at the Supreme Court, and until a decision is reached, no action will be taken by the government on the private Member’s bill.

  • ‘Agric Exchange’ trip launched

    An Agro-tourism organization, the Ghanaian Farmer Tourism Club (GHAFTC) has joined forces with travel firm Adansi Travels and airline RwandAir to introduce the “Agric Exchange” program in Accra.

    This is part of the GHAFTC’s attempts to give Ghanaian farmers travel opportunities to broaden their understanding of contemporary agricultural techniques and build contacts with foreign farmers for the benefit of their businesses.

    The joint venture is also aimed to expand the local market and promote agro-tourism while encouraging foreign farmers to visit Ghana and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the agricultural industry.

    The package, which would be priced affordably, would include a flight, a hotel, transportation, meals, networking events, and sightseeing.

    The group announced that the first trip was scheduled for Rwanda in November, this year.

    Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, in his keynote address in Accra on Friday lauded the initiative, saying that any project that targeted the well-being of Ghanaian farmers and offered such opportunities to “enable them compare notes with other counterparts was welcomed.”

    He said advancements by government in its Planting for Food and Jobs programme was producing entrepreneurs and wealth in the sector and was encouraging people to pursue agro-tourism.

    “A lot of people have ventured into farming because of the potential of Planting for Food and Jobs and this is creating more opportunities in the sector as well as changing its image,” he disclosed.

    He urged Ghanaian farmers to partner and access opportunities that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provided to grow their various products.

    A farmer and founder of Count on Crops Hub, the agric advocacy firm behind GHAFTC, Enyonam Manye, said travelling would afford and expose Ghanaian farmers to the importance of value addition and the utilisation of post-harvest losses.

    “A lot of Ghanaian farmers discard post-harvest losses because they have no knowledge or skill on its benefits. But just travel to Rwanda and you will see how they are utilising post-harvest losses from pear for oil and body lotion. Same in India where post-harvest losses from pawpaw are utilised in the same way.

    “When us farmers we travel, it opens our eyes to such innovations and also introduces us to value addition companies and agro-processors to help us grow our business,” she said.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Adansi Travels, Gideon Asare, said the constant introduction of new technologies and inventions into farming made it imperative for Ghanaian farmers to travel and witness what was being done elsewhere to improve their practice.

    He called on all famers to also register their farms and to open business accounts that was separate from their personal bank accounts.

    On his part, Country Manager for RwandAir, Robert Okumu, expressed delight at the partnership saying that as the project sought to improve farming in effect it improved Africa.