Chief Munokal Ya Mukuni(left) at the Accra Zoo
The Chief of Victoria Falls in Zambia, Chief Munokal Ya Mukuni has called on the Government of Ghana to establish a tourism college in the country.
The chief, who is on a special visit to the country to explore the investment opportunities in Ghana’s ecotourism industry and share his experience with the Ghanaian authorities, made the call on Friday in an interview with the media shortly after his meeting with officials of the Forestry Commission.
According to him, the establishment of the college would help maximize revenue from the tourism industry and reduce unemployment.
He stated that in the absence of this, foreign investors would benefit immensely from the nation’s tourism industry to the detriment of the state.
‘Tourism is the number one industry and you need to have trained staff. If you don’t have trained staff, foreign investors will come in with their own staff which will not profit your government.
Chief Mukuni, who paid a visit to the Achimota Forest Reserve, Accra Zoo and the Accra Eco-Park, observed that there were numerous untapped potentials in the country’s tourism sector.
‘Ghana has not tapped into the full potential in its tourism industry. You have massive opportunities untapped,’ the chief said.
Meanwhile, the chief urged African leaders to ensure trade liberialization on the continent and promote free movement.
Executive Director, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Nana Kofi Adu-Nsiah, in a presentation, highlighted the investment opportunities within the eco-tourism industry in the country.
According to him, the Shai-Hills Resource Reserve receives about 15,000 visitors annually and ‘is ranked third in terms of visitation to protected areas.’
‘With its strategic location to further enhance the ecotourism potential of the reserve, funding is required to develop innovative ecotourism infrastructure to provide unique nature-based experience to visitors,’ he said.
BY Melvin Tarlue
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