At this year’s Aviation and Tourism Conference held in Takoradi in the Western Region last Thursday, the minister described the geographical position of the region as “appetising and inviting” enough to goad tourists and potential investors looking for suitable investment destinations.

The conference was dubbed ‘Investing in the Aviation and Tourism sectors for sustainable socioeconomic development’.

Mr Mensah said it was timely and appropriate to organise the conference in the region to share with the world the beautiful side of Ghana’s richest region.

The Western Region of Ghana, which shares borders with Cote d’lvoire, presents a striking contrast between what is ancient and modernity.

The region has the largest collection of European trading forts, including Fort Appolonia at Beyin and Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove.

It also has the highest tropical jungles; numerous mines, old architectural styles, picturesque villages, friendly people and vivacious festivals.

The Regional Minister encouraged participants who would love to experience nature and adventure to visit interesting sites to learn, feel and enjoy the best from Western Region.

Collaboration

The Chief Executive Officer of GH-Aviation, organisers of the event, Ms Elizabeth Twumwaa Sasu, explained that tourism could be developed alongside the aviation industry in Ghana to create synergies, and guarantee the required traffic that would assist in transforming the two sectors in the country.

She said while the two sectors remained disconnected, Ghana continued to lose revenue.

Consequently, she said, the annual AviaTour Conference, initiated last year, was to bring industry players from these two sectors together to brainstorm, share ideas and knowledge on how to work together and streamline activities in the country.

She said an effective tourism and aviation sector could expand the national economy of the country, create opportunities and ultimately make available jobs for the teeming unemployed youth of the country.

Turn out

Stakeholders from the aviation and tourism sectors turned out in their numbers to participate in the three-day conference organised by GH-Aviation, and hosted by the Western Regional Coordinating Council.

Over 20 speakers with diverse expertise mounted the stage and podium.

Others joined panel discussions to share their knowledge, experience, and guidance on various ways to position the two critical sectors for national development.

The participants visited the Monkey Hill in the heart of Takoradi and the Axim Beach Resort, among others.