A Volta "Music and Entertainment Industry Board" is bracing up to push artistic performance in the region from its current lackluster state into a gallop. Its singular mission is to nudge performers in the region to be responsive to standards of the global market place for music and cultural products. The Board was established on July 15, 2008 by Togbe Edinam Ansah, veteran musician and onetime Second-Vice President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), but had been largely latent. A programme profile signed by Foster Nkani said its formal inauguration on Thursday May 27, at Tarso Hotel in Ho, is expected to hype the Board's aims and objectives. They include creating public awareness on the economic potentials of the region's music and cultural assets, establish a viable and sustainable music and entertainment industry in the region and soliciting public support in developing the region's cultural practices and traditions into commercial opportunities. The Board would also ensure a reward system for creativity by fighting music piracy and protecting intellectual property rights. Togbe Ansah told the Ghana News Agency that in the coming months, the Board would go to work to tackle the issues of organization, marketing, resourcefulness and other backups confronting performers in the region. Development strategists say a revitalized music and entertainment sector in the region would speed up the development of tourism in the region. Besides agriculture tourism is an area where the region holds a huge competitive advantage over other regions. Volta Region is sandwiched between two huge tourism markets, the cities of Accra/Tema and Lome from where the region could build service linkages. Some analysts say the current bustling night life in the otherwise drab regional capital Ho, blending with more trendy performers would further boost tourism in the region. Source: GNA