Papaye Fast Food has officially opened its new mega eco-tourism project, ‘Papaye Recreational Village’ located at Konkonuru near Aburi in the Eastern Region.
The opening ceremony, which attracted a number of personalities such as Ministers of state, chiefs, queen mothers, and business executives among others to the recreational village, was also used to launch the 30th anniversary celebration of the company.
The event witnessed cultural musical performances from some selected cultural groups, brass band performances, as well as musical performances from some celebrated musicians.
The recreational village, which is located on a 130-acre site, is to serve as a relaxation and event centre, and help to promote tourism in the country. It has facilities such as a forest reserve, an event centre, zoo, children’s amusement park, sports complex, swimming pool, restaurant, and conference venue among others.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, who graced the ceremony as guest of honor, commended ‘Papaye’ for the project. He posited that the government had put in place comprehensive measures to boost the tourism sector in Ghana. He, however, urged other organizations to emulate Papaye in its effort in promoting Ghana’s tourism industry.
Papaye Recreational Village to Boost Tourism in the Country
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Papaye Fast Foods, Samir Kalmoni, noted that the facility is one of the ecotourism hubs that the company constructed to enhance the tourism industry in the country. The main motive for the establishment of the recreational village, the Executive Chairman, Mr. Samir Kalmoni stated, was to have a place where individuals and organizations could visit on holidays, weekends and during their leisure times to spend quality time with friends, family, and loved ones.
Mr. Samir Kalmoni revealed that the recreational centre project started about 23 years ago with few workers but now has a workforce of about 61 without any external or international funding. The centre is expected to employ about 600 workers which would help boost development in communities around Konkonuru.
According to Samir Kalmoni, the recreational village can accommodate musical concerts, wedding reception, picnics, conventions, retreats, camping, sporting activities, and museum among others with packing space. He further revealed plans of constructing the road from the recreational village to Konkonuru to make it more motorable.
The Executive Chairman, however, appealed to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture to help with the asphalting of the Kyankama to Konkonuru road saying, “You must have seen the deplorable state of the road. It is worse during the rainy season. Tourism can be boosted through good road network”.
It can be recalled that last year, the Board of Directors for the recreational village was inaugurated.
Nana Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, the Executive Chairman for Papaye Fast Food, Mr. Samir Kalmoni, Mr. Frank Appiah, Mr. Divine Kwadwo Aseidu, Mr. Kwabena Attafuah Ankamah Esq, Mr. Ransford Tetteh, Alhaji Abubakari Tafayi, and Ms. Elizabeth Safoa-King, were the people selected as the Board of Directors for the project.
Mr. Kalmoni during the inauguration noted that he was convinced that looking at the competency of members selected, they would put in place measures that would help grow the recreational village from strength to strength.
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