Soroma Capital Limited, a real estate investment and development group, has cut the sod for work to begin on a five star luxury hotel in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region. The 150-room hotel, which will include a recycling plant, would use locally sourced materials in its construction to ensure that it meets internationally acceptable standards. The eco-chic hotel would also minimize its carbon footprint by adopting a wide range of sustainable features including low energy consumption facilities, the creation of a wildlife sanctuary and initiate a turtle breeding program. Dr Ayowa Afrifa Taylor, Managing Director of Soroma Capital, said studies in 2006 revealed that Ghana’s tourism sector was growing faster than other sectors of the economy and that situating the hotel at Princess Town was based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism which suggested available areas suitable for resort development. She said social sustainability was at the forefront of the project and to assist the hotel meet its objectives, a social-economic survey to measure the demographic characteristics of the area was undertaken by the Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Cape Coast. She said the design of the hotel also seeks to promote the interrelatedness of the surrounding towns saying “the hotel is not walled enclave but an integrated part of the local community with walking routes across the beach and the lagoon”. Mr Joseph Donfoyenah, District Chief Executive of Ahanta West, on behalf of the Regional Minister, said the construction of the hotel would bring employment to the people of the area and help reduce poverty. He said when completed, the hotel’s conferencing facility could serve as a vital infrastructure supporting industries in the Western Region saying “it’s a wonder why Accra hosts most of the mining and oil and gas conferences when these industries are based in the Region.” Mr Donfoyenah said government deserves to be commended for its investment policies, the current peace and stability being enjoyed, and for creating an enabling environment for investments. He also commended the people, chiefs and the royal family of Princess Town for agreeing to put aside their differences and see to the development of the resort. Present at the ceremony were Mr Samuel Johnfiah, Member of Parliament of Ahanta West, representatives of Glico Group, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Wildlife Society, Town and Country Planning and Chiefs and people of Princess Town.