Priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness

The main priorities for Private Sector Competitiveness are as follows:

•Poor surface condition of roads

•Inadequate cold storage and market facilities

•Uncontrolled sand winning

•Inadequate access to credit for productive activities eg agro-processing, salt mining

The above issues were subjected to POCC analysis and conclusions made as to strategies to be evolved in addressing the prioritised issues. The outcome of the analysis is presented in table 2.2 below.

Investment And Business Potentials

High potentials exist in the district for tourism promotion. These include:

•Rocky and sandy beach at Abrekum and extensive beach at Mankoadze and Fetteh.

•There is a nice hotel (Till’s No.l Hotel) at Fetteh.

•Akwambo Festival and ’Gomoa Two Weeks" in the various communities.

•Fontofrom at Gomoa Ankamu, which are used for government functions, and PANAFEST needs further development.

•Local horn blower at Achiase also needs training and motivation.

•Traditional Folklore "Ama Boadze" at Benso developed about a century ago and "Apedede" at Benso.

•Apemadze Forest at Ajumako, an ancient grove measuring about 100 acres where the Ashantis left their weapons during a war.

•"Daadzeban" for healing broken human bones at Ekwamkrom.

•Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site, coastal wetlands project under the joint management of the Gomoa and Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assemblies. Protection of various species of plants and animals particularly birds will not only attract tourists but also conserve thewetland resources.

•A palm tree with three "heads" at Amoanda.

•Rocky valley with perennial water "Yaba" at Dabanyin can be used as a natural swimming pool.

•Ancient rocky market place "Abodo" at Nkoransa is a meeting place for hawks.

•"Posuban" at Gomoa Koforidua and Otsew Jukwa, Slave Trade Chains at Gomoa Nduem.

•Fort Patience at Apam could be preserved rather than being used as a hotel.

•Musano has been included in the World tourist map and serves as an Institute for African religion and Music. Every year, it receives visitors from the United States of America.

•Ancient Shrine at Gomoa Maim preserves the ancient artifacts. Gomoa Maim was the abode of Asebu Amenfi and is the original home of the people of Gomoa.

•Hanging stone supported by a small thread at Fetteh.

• Sea and shore and rivers – Fetteh

•Existing rivers in the whole of the district. This is a potential tourist attraction to explore.

The various communities of the district celebrate Akwambo or Ahorbaa Festivals or both in their own peculiar way. Such ceremonies could be well organized and developed into tourist attractions. For example, the two traditional (Paramount) areas could come together and celebrate the climax of the festivals in one paramount town with the capacity to attract people from other areas within and outside Ghana.

The two traditional areas coming together to climax the festivals in say every three years would also promote peace and solidarity between them.For tourism potentials to be fully harnessed and utilized, there is the need to improve on physical accessibility and social services. This involves the attraction and attention of both government and private sectors.