Poor sanitation in parts of the country is negating tourism attraction
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28th August, 2009
Poor Sanitation Problems Crippling Promotional Efforts Of Tourism Industry
The Minister for Tourism Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah has observed that, though Ghana is a unique tourism destination, poor sanitation problems are crippling the promotional efforts of the tourism industry.
She made the observations yesterday, when she addressed a forum organised by the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) in Accra yesterday.
GHATOF is an umbrella organisation of 21 tourism related Trade Associations, created in 1985 and registered formally in 1999.
The forum was under the theme “Clean Tourism, Hospitable Climates” was to discuss sanitation problems facing the hospitality and tourism industry in the country.
The Minister said tourism thrives in a clean, healthy and attractive environment, adding; “we therefore have a responsibility to address issues relating to poor sanitation, harassment and conditions for food preparation which are relevant to the upliftment of the industry.”
She called for collaboration with the relevant agencies such as the Ministries of Science and Technology, Local Government and the District Assemblies to come out with strategies to address the insanitary conditions in our communities.
Mrs Azumah-Mensah also drew attention to the challenges of climate change and their impact on our tourism industry.
She noted that, the effects of climatic change produce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn results in heat waves, intense wind patterns, and heavy rains associated with floods.
She said this is already evident in our coastal areas like Ada, Princesstown, Brenu Achinum and Keta, which get flooded as a result of high tidal waves from the sea.
She disclosed that worldwide, the tourism sector contributes five per cent of the total green house gas emissions to the atmosphere, through the aviation industry, accommodation, travel and tours and the car hiring companies.
“We therefore need to find answers to the questions raised on actions to reduce our contributions to climate change,” she emphasised.
She said the use of renewable energy, particularly solar panels to power hotels instead of stand by diesel generators should be encouraged.
The President of GHATOF, Mrs Stella Appenteng, earlier in her welcome address, said, one of the greatest advantages of Ghana’s Tourism industry is that, it is not over crowded, as hotel rooms that meet international standards are generally available throughout the year.
“The low density of resistors implies that, litter can be controlled,” she said.
Mrs Appenteng. However, said it is increasingly becoming an embarrassment for tour operators to include visits to the markets and the beaches on their itineraries because of the unpleasant odours emanating from poor waste management at such places.
“We must guard against creeping conditions that could lead Ghana appearing on Travel Warning and Travel Alerts lists as countries of health-risky dest nations,” Mrs Appenteng warned.
She said tour operators, particularly traditional bars, food vendors and restaurants would have to forge a strong bond to reverse unclean and unhygienic trends that deter visitors from patronizing our goods and services.
Mr Edward Komla, a tourism consultant who chaired the forum, said there is the need to constantly promote awareness programmes on sanitation to avoid Ghana being blacklisted as a preferred tourist destination.
She made the observations yesterday, when she addressed a forum organised by the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) in Accra yesterday.
GHATOF is an umbrella organisation of 21 tourism related Trade Associations, created in 1985 and registered formally in 1999.
The forum was under the theme “Clean Tourism, Hospitable Climates” was to discuss sanitation problems facing the hospitality and tourism industry in the country.
The Minister said tourism thrives in a clean, healthy and attractive environment, adding; “we therefore have a responsibility to address issues relating to poor sanitation, harassment and conditions for food preparation which are relevant to the upliftment of the industry.”
She called for collaboration with the relevant agencies such as the Ministries of Science and Technology, Local Government and the District Assemblies to come out with strategies to address the insanitary conditions in our communities.
Mrs Azumah-Mensah also drew attention to the challenges of climate change and their impact on our tourism industry.
She noted that, the effects of climatic change produce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn results in heat waves, intense wind patterns, and heavy rains associated with floods.
She said this is already evident in our coastal areas like Ada, Princesstown, Brenu Achinum and Keta, which get flooded as a result of high tidal waves from the sea.
She disclosed that worldwide, the tourism sector contributes five per cent of the total green house gas emissions to the atmosphere, through the aviation industry, accommodation, travel and tours and the car hiring companies.
“We therefore need to find answers to the questions raised on actions to reduce our contributions to climate change,” she emphasised.
She said the use of renewable energy, particularly solar panels to power hotels instead of stand by diesel generators should be encouraged.
The President of GHATOF, Mrs Stella Appenteng, earlier in her welcome address, said, one of the greatest advantages of Ghana’s Tourism industry is that, it is not over crowded, as hotel rooms that meet international standards are generally available throughout the year.
“The low density of resistors implies that, litter can be controlled,” she said.
Mrs Appenteng. However, said it is increasingly becoming an embarrassment for tour operators to include visits to the markets and the beaches on their itineraries because of the unpleasant odours emanating from poor waste management at such places.
“We must guard against creeping conditions that could lead Ghana appearing on Travel Warning and Travel Alerts lists as countries of health-risky dest nations,” Mrs Appenteng warned.
She said tour operators, particularly traditional bars, food vendors and restaurants would have to forge a strong bond to reverse unclean and unhygienic trends that deter visitors from patronizing our goods and services.
Mr Edward Komla, a tourism consultant who chaired the forum, said there is the need to constantly promote awareness programmes on sanitation to avoid Ghana being blacklisted as a preferred tourist destination.
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