The facility housing the Ashanti Regional Office of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) is deteriorating at a fast rate.
The termite-infested wooden structure, put up in the late 1980s at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture, is one of the facilities expected to attract visitors as the city hosts this year’s World Tourism Day.
A visit to the facility by the GNA painted a gloomy picture as the once vibrant office has become a pale shadow of itself with the entire structure almost in ruins.
Though the Office continues to play an oversight role on the preservation of ancient buildings of the Asante Kingdom, the bad nature of the physical structure has impacted negatively on its efficiency.
The ‘Asante Traditional Buildings’ had been enlisted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) among its World Heritage Centres.
In a related development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Agyemang has called on operators of tourist facilities to ensure best practices.
He said they must adhere to the standard operating guidelines to enhance the image of the nation, saying this year’s event is expected to be unique as it coincides with the ‘Year of Return.
In an interview on the sidelines of the launch of activities to mark the Day, Mr Agyemang said, this month has been declared ‘Tourism Month’.
In line with this, a grand durbar will be held at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture to climax the day.
