From December 4th to 14th, over 80,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses for the second time hold an International Convention in Ghana.
About 7,000 foreign delegates would arrive for the conference and to make their travel arrangements less cumbersome, Government has amongst other things granted visa-free concessions to all the foreign visitors who may not be able to obtain visas for one reason or the other before their departure to Ghana.
The Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey said during the inauguration of the National Planning Committee set up to assist the local organizers of the convention to make the holding of the event a grand success.
The conference, which would take place simultaneously throughout the world, is to be held in the English, Ga, Twi, Hausa and the Sign languages among others. The Texpo grounds at Tema and the Accra Sports Stadium would be the venues for the convention in Accra.
Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said the delegates arriving at the Kotoka International Airport, would go through an expedited immigration formalities specially arranged for them. Those entering by road from neighbouring counties would also receive the same special treatment.
In addition to convention activities, delegates would also visit some tourist sites in the country. The Minister appealed to all Ghanaians to help make their stay an enjoyable one so that on their return home they would serve as goodwill ambassadors for Ghana.
He noted that the anticipated large participation in the convention provides an opportunity for Ghana to assert her readiness to host similar large-scale international conferences for other religious groups and professional bodies and advised the committee to work hard to achieve this objective.
Mr. Nathaniel Gbedemah, a representative of Watchtower office, Accra, thanked the Ghana Government for the support in the organization of the Conference.
Mr. Foster Joe Nyarko, Managing Director, Horizon West Travel and Tours, the ground handlers, assured the Minister that the committee would do its best to ensure that the Witnesses would have a successful conference and also enjoy their stay in Ghana.