Statement : The Need for Gov’t To Improve Tourist Attractions In SISSALA West- MP
The Member of Parliament for SISSALA West in the Upper West Region has made a statement in floor of parliament regarding tourist attractions in the Sisalla west area of the region.
Below is the full details of HON. MOHAMMED A. SUKPARU statement on the floor of Ghana’s Parliament.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak on this very important subject. Tourism is one of the largest contributors to Ghana’s GDP, contributing up to 3.3 billion dollars in 2019. This figure dropped by almost half in 2020 with the sector contributing only 1.9 billion dollars, a decline fairly attributable to COVID-19 and its consequent reduction in the foreign tourists who visit the country.
Mr. Speaker, the decline in revenues from this sector is a wakeup call on us to improve domestic tourism by improving tourist attractions in the country. The Sissala West District possesses tremendous tourism potentials which must be urgently harnessed to generate revenue for government, provide employment for the citizens and enhance general development in these arears.
The Gbele Forest Reserve is the fourth largest in Ghana, housing the rarest wild animal and bird species, ranging from different species of antelope, baboons, green monkeys, elephants, violet turacos, yellow-billed oxpeckers and warthogs. Younger Honourable members who watched cartoons would agree with me that cartoon lovers who watched The Lion King and saw the character Pumba would love to see a live warthog for themselves. These natural endowments and scene of wonders are however being left untapped due to lack of government commitment to make the reserve attractive. It is high time government through the ministry of tourism puts the Gbele Reserve on the radar.
Mr. Speaker I was shocked to realise that little is known about the Kalgbe Crocodile pond, home to hundreds of crocodiles in Gwollu. Urgent steps must be taken by the Ministry to expose citizens and foreigners alike to places like this.
Mr. Speaker the Gwollu Slave Defence Wall and the Worugu Slave Escape Rocky Mountains are magnificent works of art. The slave wall is Sissala and Ghana’s own version of the Great Wall of China; both built for same reason (i.e. to prevent foreign invaders and slavers from entering the Sissala Lands. Just as the Great Wall of China is branded to remain a colossal tourist attraction into this century, we can also brand and improve the Gwollu Slave Defence wall to attract both local and foreign tourists.
Mr. Speaker in other jurisdictions, ancient herbal medicinal practices are still very attractive to citizens. It can be similar in Ghana with little push from government. Gratefully, we are endowed with centres which render the most desired of herbal medications anywhere on planet earth. Mr. Speaker, I speak of the Gwollu Bone Setting and Viagra Centre.
