The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority is embarking on an extensive enforcement and monitoring exercise in Kwahu ahead of the Easter Festival.
The exercise, according to the Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Frederick Adjei Rudolph whiles speaking to Republic FM’s Andy Frimpong Manso said, the exercise is mainly a focus on enforcement and monitoring to ensure that tourism industry players in Kwahu comply with the lay down rules of the GTA.
The Eastern Regional boss of the GTA further stated that, the exercise is a combined operation from the officers of the enforcement unit of the Nkawkaw Divisional Police of the Ghana Police Service together with the Ghana Tourism Authority.
He added that, his outfit has identified a number of hoteliers and restaurants who have not been either paying their registration fees and others who do not qualify for a license but are still operating without permit.
“This exercise is solely an enforcement and monitoring. So far we ha e identified a number of hotels and restaurants who are operating without permit and license and other others that do not meet the standards and requirements of the GTA”, he stated.
Mr. Frederick added that the GTA does not want visitors coming to Kwahu to be short – changed when it’s comes to issue of accommodation, food and beverage. He said, the GTA is trying as much as possible to clamp down on facilities that are operating without license within the Kwahu block.
The regional GTA boss has warned that, persons who wishes to operate within the prelims of the Ghana Tourism Authority must seek permission, inspection of facilities and licensure permit of operation from authority, but insisted that failure to do as coordinated will have a ripple repercussions which will subsequently call for the closure of such unqualified facilities.
However, Mr. Frederick noted that the exercise is focused on ensuring there is value for money for visitors who will throng into Kwahu as Easter is fast approaching.
Closure of Hotels and restaurants
The exercise saw a number of hotels in an unconditional situations shutdown by the regional GTA boss.
They include Elsie Hotel in nkawkaw which according to the Regional Director, does not meet the requirements of the Ghana Tourism Authority. The facility was shutdown with keys confiscated after several warnings has been made to operator to provide the necessary procedures to the GTA.
Big Daddy’s Motel and pub in Nkawkaw was also shutdown for inability to oblige to the requirements of the Ghana Tourism Authority. According to the GTA boss, a notice letter was issued to the owner on 21st September last year but has not responded to the letter.
Star Gate Hotel in Nteso – Kwahu was also from operating due to some non- availability to submit the necessary documents to secure license and permit although, the GTA says its has all the necessary facilities to be operational.
Others include Dong Bang hotel in Asakraka – Kwahu which was earlier ordered to provide some basic materials in the facility.
In a one on one interview with the newly appointed Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Rev. Dr. Adane – Ameyaw, he said, upon his assumption in office, he was briefed about the Kwahu Easter festivities and thus the Ghana Tourism Authority also engaged him to streamline the activities of the tourism industry in Kwahu.
CSP Dr. Adane – Ameyaw added that his outfit and his men are ready to provide all the necessary security for the exercise and as well as the Kwahu Easter.
“I had an engagement with the GTA and I was briefed about the exercise and of course, it’s not outside our duties but to make sure that we join them to streamline the issue.
Firstly and foremost, they said they needed to enforce some hotels as to weather there was the need to close them or otherwise so they requested for me, but you know, sometimes, people can be very rough and base on the that, we provided the men”, he said.