TIG Post

Tag: Tourism Minister

  • I will push for funds to finalize National Cathedral – Egyapa Mercer

    I will push for funds to finalize National Cathedral – Egyapa Mercer

    The nominee for the position of Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has affirmed his dedication to securing funding for the completion of the National Cathedral project in Ghana.

    Speaking before the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Mr. Mercer, formerly Deputy Energy Minister, stressed the importance of finishing the National Cathedral.

    He expressed concern about its current status, humorously referred to as ‘the world’s most expensive hole,’ and emphasized its significance as a national asset.

    “It is our national asset that is in that state. It has to be completed, to my mind. So if you want a definitive answer that if I have the opportunity to request parliament to consider and approve a budget for the completion of the National Cathedral, then yes,” Mr. Mercer stated during his vetting.

    Addressing resource allocation during his vetting, Mr. Mercer acknowledged the finite nature of resources but asserted that funding should be prioritized for completing the National Cathedral.

    He expressed readiness to propose a budget specifically for this purpose, seeking approval from parliament.

    “As we look at something like the Cathedral that has economic benefits beyond what we see…In Africa, we have some 600 million people who are Christians so imagine Ghana as the new Jerusalem and these 600 million people floating through with $3,000 to spend, it is a very different reality.”

    The National Cathedral project, initiated by the government, has sparked debates and controversies due to its cost and use of state resources. In December 2023, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta suggested reconsidering discussions on the cathedral’s construction, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth.

    Speaking at the Ghana Tourism Investment Summit 2023, Ofori-Atta highlighted the cathedral as a strategic investment to boost the nation’s tourism sector. He envisioned it becoming a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians across Africa, contributing to substantial economic benefits for Ghana.

    Ofori-Atta urged a more constructive approach to the ongoing debates, suggesting that the government carefully consider the cathedral’s potential contribution to Ghana’s economic development.

  • Andrew Egyapa Mercer appointed Tourism Minister

    Andrew Egyapa Mercer appointed Tourism Minister

    A Deputy Minister of Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, is slated to now work as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture as President Akufo-Addo wraps up his second term in office.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled significant changes to his ministerial team in a major cabinet reshuffle, responding to growing calls for a shake-up.

    As such, Egyapa Mercer will leave the Energy Ministry to the Tourism, Arts and Culture as its head, taking over from Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal.

    Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal has not been reassigned, meaning he will cease to be a Minister once Egyapa Mercer receives Parliamentary approval and subsequently sworn in as minister by President Akufo-Addo.

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  • Funeral tourism: Is your motive to profit from people’s pain? — Kwame Boadu quizzes Tourism Minister

    Tourism enthusiast and entertainment pundit, Kwame Boadu Ansong, has questioned the moral standing of Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, over his concept of funeral tourism within the country. 

    Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal has suggested a strategic plan whereby the government arranges transportation for individuals to attend funerals, particularly in areas where additional tourist attractions exist. 

    This approach, he said seeks to enable people to not only participate in the funeral ceremonies but also utilize the occasion to explore and enjoy the various tourist destinations that complement these funeral events.

    “We will find funerals at places where there are tourist attractions. When they finish the funeral, the people will be served local dishes and drinks including sobolo. So that when we finish, we will bus them to these tourist attractions. Ghanaians adore funerals, and attendance is optional. When there is a funeral here, we will announce that we can go to Bonwire. People are selling Kente there, and when they go there, they will spend money.”

    Reacting to this plan, Kwame Boadu Ansong has noted that the government cannot leverage the pain of citizens to rake in money on the basis of promoting tourism in the country.

    “Are you going to gain from somebody’s pain. There is a moral question. Are you going to make money when people are mourning?

    He wondered if government would encourage more death cases to promote such an agenda.

    “How are you going to promote it. Are you going to say that more people should die so that there will be more funeral tourism. That’s another question.”

    For Mr Ansong, “this is not an idea we should promote.”

    He rather suggested that “what the Ministry and GRA should do is to capture it as tourism to boost our revenue. People do it anyway. You don’t need a policy to say you are going promote funeral tourism. It raises some moral questions.”

  • “Ghanaians love funerals so funerals will be converted to tourist sites” – Tourism Minister

    “Ghanaians love funerals so funerals will be converted to tourist sites” – Tourism Minister

    Ghana’s tourism minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has announced plans by his outfit to leverage the importance and “love” Ghanaians attach to funerals to convert funerals into tourist sites.

    During a media engagement, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal mentioned that his outfit would scout for tourist sites proximate to such ceremonies, where local dishes and drinks, among other crafts, would be sold. 

    “When there are funerals, people gather in places. What we want to do, i.e., the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), is that when there are funerals, we will also find tourist attractions at the places where the funerals occur, so that when they finish, we are going to serve Ghanaian dishes, Ghanaian drinks, sobolo and co.,” he noted.

    To facilitate easy movement to their respective funeral grounds, the ministry plans to provide free transportation services to funeral attendees.

    This, the minister said, would help many travellers explore the various tourist facilities in the particular town or city where the funeral is being hosted. 

    “And then we can also bus those attending the funeral.  For example, if there’s a funeral here, we will make an announcement that there’s a bus.

    “You can go to Bonwire; the kente is there,people are selling kente there, there are sandals, and when you go there, you will spend the money .

    “We will bus them for free when you go to that area. When they go to that area, there are restaurants and bars where they will eat. They will buy water, they will buy artefacts, and they are enriching the rural economy by providing jobs”, Dr Awal added.

    There is a need, Dr. Awal said, to utilise funerals to explore tourist attractions and enrich cultural resources, in order to create employment opportunities for the youth.

    “That’s why we want to say take advantage of funerals to explore tourist attractions and to deepen cultural assets, thereby creating jobs for our youth .