Government has launched the Ghana Development Project Grant Scheme to cushion over 1000 industry players in the Tourism sector.

The Scheme which is under the auspices of the Tourism Arts and Culture Ministry will disburse over ¢9 million to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the sector.

Speaking at the launch of the Scheme, sector Minister Barbara Oteng Gyasi said the programme is expected to alleviate the plight of business, especially those in the tourism and art industry currently bearing the brunt of the devastating effects of the outbreak of the pandemic.

“This a project been implemented by the ministry and there is the grant component. Fortunately, the implementation of the grant component has coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, which has imparted significantly our sector and most of our businesses are struggling.

"The disbursement of this facility will bring the needed support our businesses aside from the other interventions government is providing,” she said.

According to her, the Scheme will strengthen the tourism enabling environment, develop tourist sites and destinations as well as improving tourism enterprise support as the Scheme will be managed by a five-member grant committee.

The grant is also to support is in three components i.e. site upgrade grant, SMEs grant and capacity building grant.

Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo who spoke at the same event revealed the first tranche of the grant has hit the account and additional funds and government is expecting additional funds soon.

“This the first time such a scheme is implemented in the history of this country to support business in this country. We got the good news that the initial capital of ¢9 million has hit the account. If you apply and everything is put in place there will be more money soon” he said.

Eligible applicants must be a Ghanaian, must have a registered business and be a member of a Tourism and Leisure Association.

Interested applicants can submit an expression of interest form on the Ministry of Tourism and Arts website from now to until July 8, 2020.

Funds are expected to be disbursed in few weeks after application review.