Tourism Minister Fulfils Promise

Andrew Egyapa Mercer (R) with some officials inspecting the project

 

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has assured that the government’s commitment to complete the Centre for National Culture (CNC) project at Fijai near Sekondi is on course.

The centre, which is aimed at enhancing the creative arts industry, particularly in the Western Region, started over 30 years ago.

The project was however abandoned, and was gradually deteriorating due to funding and logistical challenges.

Attempts by successive governments to complete the project did not materialise.

However, at the “Sakeva Festival” in Sekondi recently, the Minister of Tourism, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, Egyapa Mercer, promised to see to the completion of the project.

Many were those who did not believe what the minister said because earlier promises by some former Ministers of Tourism to complete the project were not fulfilled.

Meanwhile, a recent visit to the project’s site at Fijai revealed that the Minister of Tourism is fulfilling the promise, as construction works have started.

The current contractor of the project has assured that the main auditorium will be ready this year.

When completed, the centre will have about 2,000 seater capacity auditorium, a Craft Village, an Administration block, an 88-bed capacity Hostel block, fencing with Adinkra designs, state-of-the-art Orchestra pit and an ultramodern stage lighting system among others.

This came to light when the Tourism Minister and his Deputy, Mark Okraku Mantey as well as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman and some journalists inspected the progress of work.

Mr. Egyapa Mercer said he led some officials from the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) to assess the project.

“So we went through all the necessary arrangements to get a new contractor for the project, which will go a long way to improve tourism in the region,” the minister added.

He mentioned that, the ministry has secured a facility of about GH¢45 million to complete the project.

He said, “The completion of the Takoradi CNC will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to support the creative economy.”

The CEO of the GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, stressed the government’s resolve to complete the project as one of its legacies in the Western Region.

Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey also stated that the government’s initiative to construct Amphitheatres across the country is geared towards enhancing the creative arts industry.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi

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