A tourism expert has called for the establishment of a dedicated authority to regulate beach development, protect the coastal environment and ensure that tourism businesses operate within an orderly framework.
A Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Ishmael Mensah, said the proposed agency would help address uncoordinated development along the country’s beaches and strengthen oversight of sanitation, security and environmental protection.
He said the authority should be responsible for the day-to-day management of beaches identified as suitable for tourism and ensure that businesses and other activities complied with approved planning and environmental standards.
Prof. Mensah made the proposal in an interview with The Ghanaian Times following the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra and concerns over the uncoordinated development of facilities at beaches across the country.
The structures at La Pleasure Beach were demolished on October 2 at the behest of the management of Labadi Beach Hotel and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), citing security and sanitation concerns arising from unauthorised encroachments on the beachfront.
“People are putting up all manner of structures on some portions of our beaches. And again, the various agencies are quiet,” he said. Read More.
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FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH,
CAPE COAST
