Some Members of Parliament have questioned the commitment of the government to boost tourism in the country in the face of limited financial resources provided to the sector year after year. They argued that since tourism contribute substantially towards the earning of the country's foreign exchange, enough, resources should be provided for the development of tourist sites to increase tourists visits. The MPs made the assertion when the 2011 annual estimates of the Ministry of Tourism was placed before the House for approval on Thursday. The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Mt Kofi Frimpong said it was unfortunate that out of the GHC 25, 036,144 budget submitted by the ministry, only GH¢ 17,225.166 was approved. He said out of the amount approved, GH¢9,650,837 was expected to be generated internally by the ministry adding that officials of the ministry had indicated that it would be difficult to raise the amount. Mr Frimpong, however urged the ministry not to bank its hopes Q1lly in eco-tourism since others such as industrial tourism could also rake in substantial revenue for the ministry. He stated that the Ahwiaa craft village, and other towns such as Wonoo, Ntonso and Adanwomase, all in the Kwabre East District were noted for the weaving of kente and Adinkra cloth and called for the development of such projects to provide tourist attraction and employment for the youth. Mr Frimpong also said that if the country wanted tourism to improve in its revenue generation, then the sector minister should be raised to a Cabinet level in order for her to make a case for the sector. Turning to some of the achievements that the Tourism Minister has made in 2010, the MP said even though it was reported that 260,000 jobs were created, there were no concrete prove to that claim. He said it was unfortunate that the ministry was unable to tell the amount of foreign exchange it generated for the country in 2010 after saying that the sector was the fourth foreign exchange earner. Other MPs who contributed to the debate expressed similar sentiments. Source: Daily Graphic