2007年VOA标准英语-Ghana's 50th Independence Anniversary Impacts T

By Efam Dovi
Accra
05 March 2007

Thousands of tourists, as well as heads of state and dignitaries from around the world are arriving in Ghana, to celebrate the West African nation's 50th anniversary of political independence from British rule. As the euphoria surrounding the March 6 event mounts, the country's tourism sector¹ is enjoying a big boost. Efam Dovi reports from the capital, Accra.

 
ChrisArt flags in capital city of Accra
Chris Art, reads the inscription² on a wooden structure in Abossey Okai, a suburb of Accra. The compound of the communal³ house, where Chris Art is located, serves as printing workshop.

Excited young men are busy screen printing 50th anniversary tee shirts and banners. Usually, only eight people work here. However 10 extra hands have been taken on since last week, because of increased orders.

"I sell tomatoes and things; but, during this occasion, we decided⁴ to print some tee shirts and sell them so we do come to this place, they print for us and we go out and sell it," said Margaret Darko, who says she sells about 100 pieces a day.

She says, although the profit margin⁵ is not huge, it is a good business. "If we are looking for the profit margin, it's not all that good but the selling is going on fast fast so, if you sell more, you gain more," she says.

 
Women packing their orders to ready for sale
Margaret, like many petty traders and street hawkers, switched to selling golden jubilee⁶ souvenirs as the euphoria surrounding the independence anniversary celebration nears. Ghanaian flags and anything in the countries national colors - red, gold and green - is selling, as both locals and visitors are in the celebration mood.

The capital city, Accra, is sparkling with Ghana flags flying along many streets.

Thousands of visitors, including 18 heads of state, have already arrived in Ghana. Many more are expected to arrive today, the eve of the big event.

The Ghana Tourist Board says the tourism sector is a big beneficiary of the anniversary celebrations.

"All hotels are really operating at a high occupancy rates," says Ben Ohene-Ayeh, spokesman for the board. "[A] survey by the board really indicated that most hotels are running over 80 percent occupancy and that is a good sign that tourism is a big beneficiary of what is happening in Ghana at the moment."

Ohene-Ayeh says the tourism sector - one of the fastest growing in the country - is enjoying a big boost.

"It has really impacted on every aspect of the industry, service providers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, travel and tour operators, car-rental agencies are all benefiting they are all reaping full benefit," says Ayeh. "And service providers by way of souvenir sellers are also in good business, so the economic impact, the social impact, the cultural impact, everything is really going well for tourism."

Ghana, the former British colony of Gold Coast, was the first black African country to end colonial rule on March 6, 1957, inspiring independence movements around the continent.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 inscription   

n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文

参考例句：

• The inscription has worn away and can no longer be read.铭文已磨损，无法辨认了。
• He chiselled an inscription on the marble.他在大理石上刻碑文。

3 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

6 jubilee   

n.周年纪念；欢乐

参考例句：

• They had a big jubilee to celebrate the victory.他们举行盛大的周年纪念活动以祝贺胜利。
• Every Jubilee,to take the opposite case,has served a function.反过来说，历次君主巡幸，都曾起到某种作用。