The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) has launched the Centre of the World Invitational Golf Tournament at the Tema Country Golf Park in the Greater Accra Region.

The tournament of the tourism investment wing of the Tourism Ministry will take place at the Tema Country Golf Park on Saturday.

It is aimed at bringing together golfers from all major golf clubs in the country to play at the park which has the Greenwich Meridian line.

The launch follows several years of the country priding itself as the Centre of the World by virtue of its geographical location as the closest land area to the centre of the world.

Speaking at the launch, the CEO of GTDC, Kwadwo Odame Antwi, said the Centre of the World Initiative would contribute to the development of the tourism centre by strengthening promotion, infrastructure, Information Technology and efficient service delivery.

“The Centre of the World Project definitely can be the foot in the wheel to accessing the full benefits of developmental projects and advancement anticipated for the tourism industry,” he said.

Mr Odame Antwi praised individuals and institutions including Paul Azonkwo, Paul Ansah, the Ghana Ports and Harbors, \Toursim Ministry, Ghana Navy for their roles in staging the event. 

He disclosed that the four major projects that would make up the Centre of the World project were the Iconic World Tower, redevelopment of the Greenwich Meridian Line and Religious Tourism facilities as well as the construction of a Passenger and Cruise Ship Terminal at the port to attract cruise ships.

The GTDC CEO also gave the assurance that the Company would transform the Tema Country Golf Park into a world-class leisure resort with the capacity to host approved tournaments. This, he explained, the organization would achieve with the help of investors.

Naval Lieutenant, P.S Okyere from the Ghana Navy commended the GTDC for its efforts and further educated the media and general public on the importance of the country's unique geographical location to tourism development.

The Captain of the Tema Country Golf Club, Joseph Nettey gave the Company its commitment and assurance in efforts to develop the park. He also invited the media across the country to the Golf Park for introductory lessons in the sport of Golf.

For her part, the Business Development and Marketing Manager of State Insurance Company (SIC, Bernice Boachie and the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Universal Marketing Bank, Yvonne Botchey, expressed hope as sponsors of the event.

They hope the tournament would inspire interest among Ghanaians. 

Other major partners of the tournament are the Universal merchant Bank, State Insurance Company, the Ghana Free Zones Authority and the Ghana Ports and Harbors.