Investors explore establishing convention centre in Kumasi

A South African investment group is exploring the probability of establishing a modern international Convention Centre in Kumasi.

Such a facility often includes malls, motels and conferencing for people of different aims to converge for purposes of social, political, business and industrial shows.

Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Charles Osei Bonsu who disclosed this says a team is presently undertaking feasibility to ascertain the viability of the project.

He says the interest is based on the ease in air connectivity from Accra to Kumasi and the strategic location of the Ashanti region as a central business enclave of the country.

Mr. Osei Bonsu says there are opportunities for job creation and a boost to the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu, believes the city of Kumasi can single handedly host the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the continental football tournament.

“If we prepare a good programme proposal and get serious to champion the cause, we should be able to host the African Cup of Nations in Kumasi,” he told newly sworn-in executives of the Ashanti regional chapter of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF).

Newly sworn-in chairman of GHATOF Ashanti, Ahmed Naaman, says the preoccupation of the executives would be to drive tourists to Kumasi.

The Mayor wants players in the hospitality industry, especially, to gear up for the possibility of hosting the tournament in the city.

Kumasi would need 16 standard hotels in place to accommodate the 16 participating countries.

Mr. Bonsu therefore wants all hands on deck to engage government to make his vision a reality.

“All the other smaller hotels will make money because the tournament will be concentrated in Kumasi,” he said. He added that the football tournament will offer opportunities for small businesses and drive the city’s development.

The Kumasi Mayor wants the staging of the football tourney to be part of activities to commemorate the 350 years of founding the city of Kumasi.

Since assuming office in May 2013, the mayor has outlined ambitious projects to transform the socio-economic development of Kumasi. These include the planned installation of $1million CCTV cameras and the planting a million trees in the metropolis.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh