The new Metropolitan Chief Executive of Cape Coast, Mr George Justice Arthur, says the expansion of the frontiers of tourism in Cape Coast as one of his topmost priorities.
He has, therefore, promised to focus attention on developing the numerous tourism potential sites in the ancient city to modern standards and harness same to improve Cape Coast’s image as a tourists’ destination.
This, he explained, would help the local assembly to rake in badly needed funds to support not just the development of Cape Coast, but also create opportunities for the local people.
This came to light during Mayor George Justice Arthur’s maiden engagement with the media to outline his vision, which among others, aimed to transform the metropolis into a thriving, sustainable and culturally vibrant coastal city.
He mentioned historic sites, such as the famous Cape Coast Castle, forts, as well as the beautiful beaches along the coast, as some of the ancient city’s tourism potentials that could become income generating channels.
To achieve this and bolster the tourism activities in Cape Coast, the Mayor disclosed that a strategic world class tourists’ information and support centre would be developed.
To realise the relevance of the above, he explained that the Assembly would map and profile all tourist attraction sites in the city and subsequently host them on a website, where it could be accessed by both local and international tourists.
He gave an assurance that, under him, the Assembly would partner the traditional authorities to organize annual cultural festivals and other unique programmes to attract tourists to celebrate the city’s heritage.
He mentioned education, health, economic development, private sector development, agricultural development, social protection, road and transport, climate change and environment sustainability as other areas of priority.
Sports and recreational development, security, revenue mobilization, interaction with the general public, creative arts were all mentioned as some of his areas of priority.
Education
He was, however, worried that though the city of Cape Coast resonated with quality education, children from Cape Coast struggled to gain admission to the known elite schools in the town. He acknowledged that the reasons were multifaceted, but gave an assurance that under his leadership, programmes would be initiated to strengthen the basic schools in the metropolis, which served as precursor to the High Schools.
He promised to Expand Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training to bridge the digital divide and enhance learning opportunities in line with national policies.
“Moreover, the Assembly will collaborate with the Members of Parliament; Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan of Cape Coast South and Dr. Kwamena Mintah Nyarku for Cape Coast North; to provide scholarships and academic support for needy, but brilliant students,” he said.
HEALTH
Highlighting his vision for the health sector, he promised to champion the renovation of existing health facilities such as the Metro Hospital at Bakaano and upgrade others to reflect the desired standard of a Metropolitan area.
“The Assembly under my leadership will work with the Health Department to fully operationalise all demarcated CHPS compounds in order to provide adequate community outreach services.
“This will contribute to the City’s effort to deliver primary and preventive healthcare service. We will also liaise with health authorities to look at the possibility of establishing a Pediatric (children) facility to cater for the health needs of our children”.
