Nana Okofo Gyesi IV, Chief of Ekumfi Nanaben in the Mfanteman District of the Central Region, has assured the people that government was making efforts to find a lasting solution to the water problem in the area. He said a new reservoir was under construction at Ekumfi Asarfa and water would be distributed from Baafikrom Water Works near Mankessim after completion of the project.

Nana Gyesi said this at a durbar of chiefs and people of the town to mark the Aboakre festival at the weekend. He said two bore holes and other hand-dug wells in the area contained salty water compelling the people to use unhygienic water from ponds and other water bodies.

Nana Gyesi appealed to the government to expedite action on plans to supply potable water to the area. He appealed to the Assembly to build quarters at Ekumfi Nanaben to accommodate teachers to facilitate teaching and learning and expressed worry that some of the teachers were staying in nearby towns. Mr. Kuntu Blankson, the Member of Parliament (MP), for Mfantseman East, said education formed the foundation for development and appealed to the parents to send their children to school.

The MP inaugurated a-250-million cedis community centre that was financed with part of his MP Common Fund and money from the Assembly. The Kyerem Asafo Company brought a life captured antelope to the durbar ground at about 0815 hours and the chief stepped on it with his left foot to indicate acceptance of the animal for rituals.

Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations on Wednesday announced the institution of a Diasporan Visa to facilitate and encourage many Diasporans to return to Ghana several times and possibly invest in Ghana.

He announced also the offering of a DNA Map, to enable Diasporans who take a DNA test to have the opportunity to reconnect to their families in Africa.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng announced the steps in Parliament, in answer to questions related to the Joseph Project by the sector Ministry, in Accra, on Wednesday. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, MP for Wa West had asked whether Joseph Project of the Ministry was not a duplication of the already existing Emancipation and Panafest Programme, and therefore a waste of national resources.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the Joseph Project, also called the Akwaaba Anyemi, if anything would rather strengthen the Panafest and Emancipation and programmes and make them richer in content and enhance the personal experiences of the Diasporans. He said the Joseph Project is a series of activities aimed at reaching [descendants of], forcibly uprooted from Africa and have been lost to their homeland for more than 400 years. The programme, which was launched this year, includes activities such as a comprehensive education process for home-comers and the Diasporans to minimize the cultural shocks and conflicts that had occurred as natural development which came about during to the 400 years separation.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the a Nationwide Pilgrimage route has been identified and it would be offered to visiting Diasporans who would come to Ghana for Panafest, Emancipation Day or any calling. “Above all, the Akwaaba Anyemi Programme/Joseph Project seeks to invite the African Diaspora to utilize their resources to generate development and investment in Ghana in particular and in Africa generally,” Mr Asamoah-Boateng said. He added that the Ministry had developed a comprehensive Tourism Policy to cover all aspects of tourism, adding; “The document is before cabinet.”

Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations Asamoah Boateng, has stated that the difficulty in constituting a new board for the Ghana Tourist Board is due to the fragmented nature of operators in the hospitality industry.

He said, the GTB was brought into force by a decree in 1973, at a time when its membership was skewed towards Government Institutions, including the Ghana Armed Forces due to the fact that government was managing Tourism facilities such as hotels, Restaurants, among other things.

Answering questions from Inusah A B Fuseini (NDC, Tamale Central) who asked the Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations why the membership of the Tourist Board has not been constituted six years after the dissolution of the previous Board, he said, since government divested itself from engaging in hospitality business in the early 1990s, not much has been done to change the Decree that brought the law into being and this has created a vacuum.

According to him it is the change in decree and the fragmented nature of operators in the industry that has caused the delay in constituting the board.

“Mr Speaker, the best thing to do under the circumstance, is to review the law to include the private sector on the Board, which will be in line with current tourism development practice all over the world, the Ministry has therefore prepared a comprehensive Tourism Policy to cover all aspects of tourism, which is now before cabinet” he stressed.

He told the House that, the process has begun for the appointment of the Ag. Executive Director and his two Deputy Executive Directors, as the substantive Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors of the Ghana Tourist Board when the same MP enquired from him when Principal Officers of the Tourist Board will be appointed.

The Minister also told the House that the “Joseph Project” and PANAFEST are different projects and that it is not a duplication of efforts, adding “In any case, in tourism the more successful events that a country puts together goes a long way to boost the industry”.

This was in answer to Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC, Wa West) who wondered whether the Joseph Project is not a duplication of the Emancipation and PANAFEST Programmes and therefore a waste of scarce national resources.

Mr Asamoah Boateng indicated that the Pan African Historical Theatre Festival is a festival of Pan African arts and culture, which creates a platform for showcasing the African arts and culture in all its diverse forms.

He said, “While PANAFEST aims at uniting Africans through arts and culture. Emancipation event serves as a remembrance of the abolition of chattel slavery and aims at drawing international attention to the contributions of Africans in fighting for their emancipation. Therefore, during the celebration, major activities are focused on honouring our heroes, who fought for the abolition of slavery,

The Akwaaba Anyemi Programme commonly known as the Joseph Project is a series of activities aimed at reaching out to our Brothers and Sisters who have been forcibly uprooted from Africa and have been lost to their homeland for more than 400 years”.

According to him, the programme is meant to strengthen the bond amongst all who have been victims or have been associated with the slavery era. Saying that, “The programme is to give us a sense of moral and emotional pilgrimage that, reminds mankind of our past mistakes and to prevent their occurrence in any form or shape”.

“Above all the Akwaaba Anyemi Programme Joseph Project seeks to invite the African Diaspora to utilise their resources to generate development and investment in Ghana in particular and in Africa generally” he added.

He said, “The Joseph Project, if anything, will rather strengthen PANAFEST and Emancipation and make them richer in content and enhance the personal experiences of the Diasporans”.

A visit to Nzulezu, a small hamlet constructed on the Amanzuri Lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea in the Western Region of Ghana, gives one a real adventure.

Every child who attains age four is given a boat to enable him/her free movement to other neighbouring villages. It is also believed that children in the community would never be drowned once the ritual of dropping the child three times into the Amanzuri Lagoon is performed, Mr Ackah, an elder in Nzulezu told the GNA in an interview.

Nzulezu means sitting on water, hence the name of the village meaning a village sitting on water. One has to paddle a boat for over an hour to get to the village and it is exactly what children in the village do when they are going to school or going to buy bread in nearby towns.

Everything apart from the baking of bread is done in this wonderful village because the village is built of wood and using fire for purposes such as baking bread could set the whole village on fire.

The people prefer to live on the water rather than on land, Mr Ackah said and that is because of the strong belief in God, who protects them.

“Enemies cannot follow us to this place. Our ancestors brought us here to protect us from our enemies,” he said.

History of Nzulezu

The people of Nzulezu migrated from Mali because of war. They lived on at a place where gold was the main natural resource hence some strangers decided to come and live with them on the land so that they could have access to the gold.

When they protested there was war and in order to have their peace they decided to move from the place to settle at a place where people could not attack them.

Led by God, who took the form of a big snail, they moved to find a place where they could have their peace.

Only one person could talk to the Deity. Forty-three households undertook the journey from Mali through Burkina Faso to settle at Wenchi and Techiman, both in present day Brong Ahafo Region, and then to Shama and Esipon, in the Western Region before eventually settling at the present location. Some of the households settled along the way.

They built rafts on the Lagoon and settled but they soon discovered that strong winds in the area caused frequent fire outbreaks so some of them moved to settle at the other side of the Lagoon - the Abbey Lagoon.

They discovered the present site when Muga, a farmer in their group, went out one day to look for a land to farm and found the place, which looked more peaceful with no strong wind.

The people at Nzulezu numbering 400 are Ghanaians. They have intermarried with Nzemas and their original language “Wusere” is lost, the common language spoken is Nzema.

A boat ride is very fascinating. Passengers have to continually scoop water from the boat to prevent it from sinking.

As one rides along, one would see fishes jumping out of the Lagoon intermittently. By the end of the journey one’s clothes get wet.

The greenery is a sight to behold and not to be told. Those who seek adventure should visit Nzulezu. The bumpy nature of the road from Agona Nkwanta to Beyin can make a pregnant woman give birth instantly.

There is a guesthouse, a drinking bar and a house for sale at Nzulezu.

Going to Nzulezu is an adventure. Some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Tourism, who visited the place as part of programme of the Ghana Tourist Board observed that when developed Nzulezu could attract streams of tourists and create wealth for the people.

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), as part of preparation towards the African Cup of Nations tournament, is embarking on an exercise to check hygienic and security conditions at all hospitality facilities along the Accra-Kumasi route.

The Eastern Regional Director of the GTB, Mr. Sampson Donkor disclosed this at the opening of a three-day training programme for members of the hospitality industry in the region, organized by Cleaning Solutions Limited, an industrial laundry linked to the CAN 2008 tournament.

He said the move was in anticipation of spill over from Accra as it was expected that facilities would be stretched, so proper measures were being put in place for the region to contain that situation.

The Regional Director therefore reminded members of the industry to be conscious of the informed customers who use their services and adhere to the standards required of them.

He thanked Cleaning Solutions, for their contribution towards the CAN 2008 through the nationwide training programmes to equip members on modern scientific trends in the hospitality industry to meet standards.

Participants were drawn from all hospitality centres in the region, including chefs, stewards, housekeeping/room attendants, laundry operators and bar attendants.

The Industry and Laundry Manager of Cleaning Solutions Limited, Mr. John Obeng, said their aim was
to help make the CAN 2008 a success and to improve tourism in the county.

He said they had already been in four regions and would complete all the regions by the end of the year.

The Regional representative of the Company, Mr Fred Nyame, said the training sessions had been categorized into hotels, restaurants and Chop bars/drinking bars to get the needed impact.

The Aviation Ministry is to form a technical committee to examine the Sumbrungu Airstrip near Bolgatanga, to determine whether it would be suitable for development into an Airport, Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo, Minister of Aviation announced on Tuesday.

The Airstrip, which was constructed in the early 1990s showed signs of depression, allowing water to stagnate, with protrusions of laterite despite intensive rock blasts at the site during construction.

Ms Akuffo was on a tour of the Upper East Region to inspect landing sites to be used for next year’s Ghana 2008 football tournament, especially the Sumbrungu and Paga airstrips.

She said if the Sumbrungu Airstrip proved unsuitable a new site would be located in the Region for the construction of an airport.

“We want to open up the country for tourism and boost the huge development potential so we need something bigger and more permanent and a sizeable Airport would be best”, she said.

Ms Akuffo also inspected the Paga Airstrip and said it was in good condition and would be used for the meantime for emergency landings.

She said even though the Paga Airstrip had a good landscape, it could not be used for commercial purposes because it was too near to Burkina Faso.

She urged the Kassena Nankana District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Chegeweh to ensure that the Airstrip was gravelled for use in times of urgent need.

Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister, who accompanied the Aviation Minister and her entourage, said the Regional Coordinating Council would provide the needed assistance for the Airport project. The team had earlier paid courtesy calls on the Bolga Naba, Naba Martin Abilba III and the Paga Pio, Pe Charles Awia Awampaga.

The people of Yilo Krobo on Saturday showcased what defines them as a unique people when they descended on the Akutunya Lorry Park to observe the Ghana@50 edition of their annual Kloyosikplemi festival.

Hundreds of people wearing beads with matching African apparels filled the vast lorry square at Somanya with some scouring for space at near-by buildings and on trees.

By mid-day the Chiefs of the various divisions of the Yilo state started arriving in well-ornamented palanquins to the applause of the crowd.

The place went into frenzy when the overlord of the area, Kpetekple Narh Dawutey Ologo, rode to park in a sleek Mercedes Benz sedan. Nene Ologo, according to an explanation obtained by the GNA now prefers the use of car because of his age.

Nene Ologo who is President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs arrived to a standing ovation in the company of the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional area, Daasebre (Dr) Oti Boateng. Daasebre’s intricate walk ahead of Kpetekple was another sight to behold as the Ex-Government Statistician accompanied by several minders generated their own brand of excitement with heavy throbbing of drums. The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah who represented President J.A. Kufour at the function was chauffeured in the company of half a dozen District Chief Executives.

The Paramount Chief of the Anum Traditional Area, Nana Appiah Kumi and the acting President of the Manya Krobo Traditional area, Nene Sasraku also attended the ceremony.

The Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has so far trained over 300 hospitality personnel nationwide to inject professionalism in their work ahead of the African Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for next year in the country.

Miss Beatrice Appiah-Kusi, Human Resource Development and Training Manager of the Board, said the training involved front office, food and beverage as well as house keeping services.

She was addressing the closing session of a crash-training programme organized by the Board in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations for some 120 tourism industry practitioners in Kumasi on Saturday.

The six-day programme was designed to upgrade the skills of the participants drawn from the Ashanti region to ensure excellence in their service delivery.

Miss Appiah-Kusi urged operators of tourist facilities to adhere to the operational requirements of the GTB before, during and after the tournament to retain the nation’s image.

Regional Manager of GTB said his outfit intended to organize skill training workshops and sensitization programmes for Traditional Caterers and taxi driver to enhance decency and discipline in their work.

He said the training, was a continuation series planned to help improve the hospitality industry at all levels in the country.

The Regional Manager cited insufficient logistics and personnel as some of the challenges hampering the development of the tourism industry.

Nana Ekua Otwuwa II, formerly Beatrice Benyarko, the new Queen mother of Gomoa Abrekum and Adontenhemaa of Gomoa Ajumako traditional area, was enstooled as queen on December 26, 2006 at Gomoa Abrekum of Gomoa.

In commemorating her enstoolment a ceremony was held at Branford Place in Newark New Jersey, USA. It was attended by family and friends who came in their numbers to celeberate the memorable occasion with her.

The Gomoa traditional area comprises of 49 towns and villages including Gomoa Ankamo, Afranse, Mankoadze, and Obuasi. Nana Ekua Otwuwa II is married to Mr. Joseph Benyarko of Irvington, New Jersey with 3 children; Nana Awisi Benyarko, Efual Benyarko and Paapa Benyarko.

Among the dignitaries at function were the chief of Gomoa Abrekum, Nana Kwaku Otabil X, the Adontehene of Gomoa Ajumako traditional area, Madam Elizabeth Asma, mother of the queen-mother, Kobina Yedu, Chief Linguist. The rest are Nana Akosuah Dwomoh, the queen’s aunt, The famed Dr. Boakye Agyei (the queen’s cousin), Nana Akosua Achiaa of Irvington and many more.

Nana urged citizens of Gomoa and well wishers of the area to help her establish schools to improve the current educational system by donating money, books, and supplies that will help the students to further advance their education.

Cultural dancers Cynthia Poku, Kendra Poku, Rachel Nyarko, Ricki Nyarko, Michelle Oppong, Maame Osei-Bonsu, Priscilla Asamoah Dankwah, Nana Adoma Marfo, and Kenneth Antwi entertained the gathering.

Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Omanhene of the Western Nzema traditional area, has led the chiefs and people of Benyin to celebrate the Kundum festival.

Kundum is an annual festival of the Nzemas to thank God and their ancestors for good harvest and health as well as protection.

The occasion attracted a large number of citizens of the area resident elsewhere as well as tourists and was used to depict the rich culture of the people.