Akufo-Addo champions domestic tourism; charges Ghanaians to explore country

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made a call on Ghanaians to explore the country and enjoy the rich natural resources the nation boasts of. The President made this call while delivering his speech at the 62^nd Independence Day celebration in Tamale He called on every Ghanaian to take time off and travel around and enjoy the rich culture and resources that each region has. He stated that hosting the independence parade in the Northern Region capital, Tamale, has created an opportunity for the many that travelled for the parade to explore Tamale and neighboring towns. President Akufo-Addo expressed delight over the opportunity to explore Tamale, charging Ghanaians out there to also travel around and explore other parts of the country as well. “I am glad that we are in Tamale for this celebration, and I hope it will spur many people to get to know the country. We have a beautiful country, and it deserves to be explored and admired,” the President noted. Many members of the diplomatic corps including Nigerien President Mahamoudou Issoufou were in Tamale to witness the parade. Ghana’s president stated that exploring the country helps to provide an insight into the different cultures, and this helps to eliminate any form of misconception that one may have about other ethnicities. “Apart from the joy of discovering the beauty and charms of our country, getting to know Ghana helps to dispel the prejudices of the unknown.” It is important for every Ghanaian, he added, to be better acquainted with their own country before travelling out to see and explore other countries. “Those who have the means to do so should consider it more important to travel around and know Ghana before they embark on the next vacation to Dubai.” He also charged the Ghana Tourism Authority and other stakeholders to find means through which internal tourism can be better promoted, and that this will help extend better services to foreign tourists. “It means of course that the [Ghana] Tourism Authority has its work cut out, if they get it right with internal Ghanaian tourists, then they will be ready to cope with foreign tourists.” President Akufo-Addo further made a clarion call for those based in cities across the country, to descend from their high horses to appreciate other places in the country. “I ask those who live in the big cities in particular to get around the country a little,” he advised, “it might just change their outlook and make them more tolerant about the difficulty that we need to overcome.” By Irene Amesimeku| 3news.com|Ghana]]>