Minister of Information and National Orientation Stephen Asamoah-boateng of Ghana

The Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng has said that, in spite of the many infrastructural, legal and service problems that bedevil the tourism industry, it was gradually assuming its rightful place in the economic development of the country.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng said this at the opening of the Fourth Ferdinand Ayim Paragliding Festival at Atibie in the Kwahu South district on Easter Friday.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng said if the tourism industry is well developed, it would serve as major source of revenue.

Asamoah-Boateng has also worked hard to improve roads and provided many projects to enhance education in the area.

Asamoah-Boateng described the alleged assault of the Central Regional Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Joe Okyere, by a former a Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, as very unfortunate and urged journalists and politicians to be professional and calm in the run-up to the elections.

Touching on the achievements of the Kufuor administration, Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the Danquah-Busia tradition was not known for propaganda work, hence its silence on most of the achievements.

Minister, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng is "President Kufuor's "Mafia Boy !!! who has contributed immensely in my political persecution.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng is being challenged by Ms Victoria Florence Awuah, a tourism operator, and Mr Thomas Yamoah Paintsil, a lawyer who have both filed their papers.

Mr Nyarko-Antwi said though Mr Asamoah-Boateng had filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court for a recount of the ballots in the constituency, it was not true that he had attempted to bribe the law enforcing agents to connive with him to win the recount as being alleged.