Morocco, Ghana to cooperate in tourism

Ghanaian minister of tourism, Hawa Yakubu, expressed her country's wish to benefit from Morocco's experience in the sector of tourism and called Moroccan economic operators to tap the Ghanaian market.

At a meeting Tuesday in the southern Atlantic city of Agadir with Moroccan minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathalklah Oualalou, Ms Yakubu underlined the economic importance of tourism which contributes, she said, to eradicate poverty and promote modernization.

Ms Yakubu-- who is member of the accompanying party of President John Kufuor of Ghana, currently on an official visit to Morocco-also called for cooperation in vocational training and for the servicing of an air line between the two countries.

Oualalou who pointed out that President Kufuor's "historic" visit will undoubtedly boost bilateral relations underlined the role of tourism as an engine for economic development.

He proposed that a committee of Moroccan experts visit Ghana to trade experience and institute a lasting partnership between Morocco and Ghana in the field of tourism.

President Kufuor started Tuesday a two-day official visit to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. The official visit will be followed by a two-day private visit.

Kufuor is accompanied by a delegation including the ministers of foreign affairs, of tourism, of communication and of maritime fisheries. Several of his advisors, including national security advisor, are also of the party.