President of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike, has called for increased investment and innovation in Ghana’s tourism sector, emphasizing the country’s potential to significantly boost its annual visitor numbers.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary symposium of the Association, Dr. Ackah-Nyamike noted that Ghana currently attracts about 1.3 million visitors annually, but with strategic development, that figure could double.
He urged stakeholders to leverage the historical and educational value of cities like Cape Coast to promote education-based tourism, and further called for the establishment of a dedicated training institution to strengthen human capacity within the hospitality industry.
The event, held under the theme “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance and Impact in Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry,” brought together key players and policymakers in the sector.
In her address, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, commended the hospitality industry for its significant contribution of about GH¢4.8 billion to Ghana’s GDP last year.
She described the hospitality sector as the backbone of Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, adding that without hotels, lodges, guesthouses, and eco-resorts, the country’s tourism offerings would be incomplete.
“You provide not just rooms, but experiences. You are the first and last impression of Ghana that visitors encounter,” the Minister said, lauding hoteliers for their role in job creation and community development.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mrs. Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, outlined several sustainability measures being implemented across the industry.
She revealed that the Authority is championing green initiatives, including the introduction of solar energy systems, plastic reduction campaigns, and wastewater management programs, to align hospitality operations with global environmental standards.
Dr. Ackah Nyamike, in his closing remarks, called for cross-ministerial collaboration, urging all government ministries to view tourism and hospitality as a national priority.
“Every minister must receive serious orientation on tourism and hospitality so that together, we can drive this industry, which remains one of the country’s low-hanging fruits,” he stated.
The GHA’s 50th anniversary celebrations highlighted the sector’s vital role in Ghana’s economic growth and its potential to position the nation as a top tourism destination in Africa.
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