Visa racketeering probe findings ready

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 Jan. 2001

A 133-page report on the probe into visa racketeering by some members of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) was Wednesday presented to the National Commission on Culture in Accra.

The report, that took more than a year to complete, contains evidence from 105 musicians and unions in the music industry who were quizzed, and "other relevant matters in the music industry of Ghana.

"If the recommendations in this elaborate report are studiously applied, problems like this would no more arise", said Nana Barima Adanse-Akyem Omane, Chairman of the four-member committee at the presentation.

He was of the view that most of such matters are reflections of the lukewarm attitude to culture by politicians.

"No matter where we place culture or how we define it, practitioners of the music industry constitute one of the major segments of our culture," he said and urged the NPP Government to prioritise cultural development.

Nana Omane, who is also Chief of Akyem Nkwantanan, said the new administration should urgently "think of coming out with the cultural policy of Ghana".

He said a draft cultural policy that was being considered by the previous Government "took too long."

Nana Omane expressed the hope that in streamlining ministerial portfolios "the NPP government would not eventually abolish the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs" and advocated a Ministry of Chieftaincy, Culture and Tourism."

Nana Brefo Boateng, Chief Director of the Culture Commission, said the Commission "would do everything possible for the music industry to take its place in national development."

He described the industry as "one of the veins of economic development in the country" and said copies of the report would be given to media houses for study and public education.

The probe was instituted as a result of allegations that certain members of MUSIGA were had abused the privileged status granted them to procure visas for non-members intending to travel abroad for reasons other than entertainment.

GRi../

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Book on tourism attractions of Volta Region published

Ho (Volta Region) 25 Jan. 2001

The Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC) has published a handbook on the region's potentials, which according to its foreword is to promote the region in the international tourist market.

The 60-page book entitled, "A Taste of the Volta Region of Ghana," is also meant to be a reference material for hoteliers, students and investors.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Agbenaza (Rtd), the former Regional Minister in a foreword said the book attempts to give an encapsulated view of some of the significant attractions and visitor facilities in the region.

It also lays bare the region's array of very impressive tourist attractions, which hitherto have been poorly promoted in the tourism market. The publication dealt with the three main geographical zones of the region, namely southern, central and northern and the people, vegetation, occupations, dances, religion and festivals and provides detailed information on the 12 administrative districts.

The book has information on hotels, restaurants and chop bars as well as climate, roads and health facilities of the region.

Tourist attractions the book highlighted include, the Wli Water Falls in the Hohoe district, the beaches stretching from the Ketu district to the Keta district, the Kalakpa Resource Reserve at Adaklu in the Ho district and the ancestral caves in the central part of region.

The book, which was put into circulation during the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) 2000 last November is illustrated with pictures of scenic sites and events as well as maps.

The text for the publication was produced by Mr Frank Kofigah, of the Ghana Tourist Board with Mr Woeli Kemevor, Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Steve Selorme and Mr. Livingstone Dzokoto both directors of the VRCC as resource persons.

According to a source at the VRCC, a documentary film has also been produced as part of efforts to market the region considered having comparative advantage over other regions in tourism attractions.

GRi../

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