In celebration of World Tourism Day, the Tema Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) conducted a community clean-up exercise yesterday at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Tema Community 1. Led by Deputy Director Gifty Offeibea, the staff of GTA took this initiative to raise awareness about cleanliness and its impact on tourism under this year’s theme: Peace and Tourism.
The exercise, which centered on the surroundings of the Presbyterian Church, home to the Greenwich Meridian, emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness at key tourist sites. The Greenwich Meridian, a major geographical landmark that divides the eastern and western hemispheres, is located within the premises of the Presbyterian Church, making it a significant tourist attraction in Ghana.
Speaking to xorlali.com, Deputy Director Gifty Offeibea Senanu spoke about the importance of cleanliness in promoting peace and improving tourism. She remarked, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and it is essential that we, as a community, keep our surroundings, especially this iconic site, clean to attract tourists and boost local revenue.” She further emphasized that the initiative was aimed at encouraging residents to understand the direct link between a clean environment and economic benefits derived from tourism.
The clean-up exercise was well-received by the local community, with some volunteers from the area joining the GTA staff to ensure the church grounds and surrounding streets were spotless. The event also served as a platform to educate the public about the significance of Greenwich Meridian Meridian and its role in boosting Ghana’s tourism industry.
By promoting cleanliness around this notable attraction, GTA hopes to attract more visitors, which will, in turn, contribute to the economic growth of the local community and the country as a whole. The exercise is one of several activities the GTA has planned to promote tourism and instill a sense of responsibility towards maintaining Ghana’s tourist sites.
As World Tourism Day is celebrated globally to recognize the importance of tourism in fostering peace and prosperity, initiatives such as this clean-up exercise highlight the critical role local communities play in ensuring sustainable tourism development.
About the Greenwich Meridian at Tema
The Greenwich Meridian is an internationally recognized line of longitude that marks 0 degrees, dividing the earth into eastern and western hemispheres. In Ghana, the Meridian passes through Tema, with a marker inside the Presbyterian Church in Community 1. This unique geographical location has turned the site into a noteworthy attraction for both local and international visitors.
