The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has disbursed a total of $1.4 million to the first 15 beneficiaries of grants under the Ghana Tourism Development Project.

The scheme, which is being implemented under the Ghana Tourism Development Project of the Ministry, is aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop and improve the various tourist sites and also build capacity within the tourism sector.

The team at the Project’s Coordinating Unit, the Grants Management Team, the Grants Committee, in collaboration with the World Bank Task Team, reviewed over 1,400 expressions of interest since the scheme was launched barely three months ago.

These firms, individuals and organisations were then invited to submit their proposals; and the applicants who met all the necessary requirements were approved to receive support.

At a ceremony held in Accra on Tuesday, 20 October 2020, to award beneficiaries of the scheme, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the travel and tourism industry globally and proactive interventions like this by the government, offers the opportunity and support required to revitalise the industry.

“The Nana Akufo-Addo-led government and, indeed, my Ministry, believes that such support schemes through the participation of private sector enterprises, is an investment that will yield benefits to the tourism sector as a boost to the transformation of our economy and the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda”.

“As a government, we recognise and believe in the special abilities and unique roles of the private sector to positively impact the tourism sector through the special initiatives and programmes such as this,” Mrs Oteng-Gyasi said, adding: “An amount totalling an equivalent of $1.4 million is being awarded to the first fifteen (15) beneficiaries to whom we say ‘congratulations – Ayekoo’.

“Your business plans have been carefully assessed, you satisfactorily met all the requirements and have been selected on merit.

“Do seize the opportunity to add more value to your tourism products and services to stimulate tourism and the Ghanaian economy”.

The Minister further indicated that the Project Coordinating Unit, in collaboration with the World Bank, will continue to provide the necessary assistance and monitoring to ensure the desired results are derived for the mutual benefit of the organisations and the country at large.