TOURISM MINISTRY SIGNS MOU TO CONSTRUCT KUMASI CONFERENCE CENTER
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Bengbu International Technology & Economic Cooperation CBITEC,a Chinese firm to construct a 2000 seater capacity conference center in Kumasi on Friday 4th September, 2020 at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi who signed the mou on behalf of the Ministry said the theater when completed will not only add to the architectural and cultural skyline of Kumasi but will also bring new energies into the arts and culture space in and around Kumasi such as the commercial, economic and social energies to be drawn from the many events that it will host.
She said the ultra-modern Theatre which is designed for large conferences, drama, music performance and modern dance, will have 2000 seats in the main auditorium and a hall for 600 seats to meet specially tailored conferences and meetings.
She disclosed that the theatre will also combine with the entrance foyer to form an open Exhibition Area and also boast of a top-notch catering facility.
Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi explained that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led Government seeks to explore the comparative advantages and potentials of all the Regions of the country to enable the diversification, expansion and full integration of the tourism, arts and culture industry into a modern economy, and indubitably, Kumasi and for that matter the Ashanti Region, holds an important and enviable place in African history, arts and culture.
Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, the Mayor of Kumasi said the ultimate vision of the KMA was to make Kumasi a safe city and an investment destination for both local and international investors.
He said it was a known fact that the construction of a Conference Centre had been a long cherished dream of the people in the City and that he was happy the signing of the MOU will culminate in the realization of this dream.
“Kumasi is noted for its wealth in culture but it has been fundamentally challenged in tourism and event management related infrastructure, therefore, the construction of this edifice is a timely solution to the challenge of providing suitable infrastructure to market Kumasi for local and international events”Hon. Osei Assibey noted.
Hon.Barbara Gyasi and Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi signing the document while Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, Otumfour’s Apagyahene (middle) looks on.
He disclosed that the Assembly also sought to undertake the construction of a Kumasi Cultural Museum to serve as a one-stop display point for all its cultural artifacts and regalia, to this end, he said architectural designs and a concept paper were already prepared and available for any interested investors.
Also present at the signing of the MOU were Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, Otumfour’s Apagyahene, Baffour Agyei Kesse IV, the Adumhene, CEO of Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, Gloria Tima Gambrah, MCD of KMA, Mr. Akuamoah Boateng, heads of departments at KMA, representative of the creative arts industry, and the press.
STORY: EMMANUEL ANTWI JNR