The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, has expressed the government’s commitment to partnering with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to promote Ghana’s tourism.
He stated that the Ministry planned to launch an initiative to promote domestic tourism to boost Ghana’s revenue generation.
“It is our desire to boost Ghana’s tourism sector to employ about 40 percent Ghanaians in the tourism value chain. We will push for the construction of a lot of four- and five-star hotels country-wide to accommodate tourists visiting the country’s tourist sites within the next two years.”
Dr. Ibrahim Awal, Tourism Minister
Dr Awal made these statement when Mr Dela Gadzanku, Chairman of the AGI’s Eastern, Volta and Oti Regional Branch, led a three-member delegation to pay a courtesy call on him in Accra.
He assured AGI that he will work with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to repair the majority of the roads leading to Ghana’s tourist attractions.
On his part, Mr Gadzanku said the visit was to discuss how the private sector could partner the government to re-invigorate the tourism, arts and culture sector.
He announced that the AGI had launched the Fifth Volta Trade and Investment Fair. The Fair would take place in Ho, Volta Region, between November 15 and 28.
“The Fair is geared towards promoting the numerous tourism and investment opportunities in the Volta Region. As part of the fair, there will be an arrangement for both local and international tourists to visit the various tourism sites in the Region.”
Mr. Dela Gadzanku
He reiterated that the fair would further help in boosting the domestic tourism drive for the country. He therefore entreated the Minister to endeavour to improve on Ghana’s tourism infrastructure.
Promoting Ghanaian Cuisines
Mrs Jarnice Odoakor, a member of the AGI, also urged the Minister to promote Ghanaian cuisines and chefs on the international stage. She also urged chefs to rebrand their foods and beverages with attractive packaging in order to attract more customers.
She said the initiative has the potential to turn Ghana’s economic fortunes around when pursued. It will also build jobs for those involved in the value chain, she added.
Mr Atsu Sedor also urged the Ministry and stakeholders to embark on an aggressive marketing and promotion campaign to attract more tourists.
“Let’s tour Ghana Club” to promote domestic tourism
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched its maiden edition of “Let’s Tour Ghana Club” to promote domestic tourism. The move is to tap into the domestic tourism potentials in the country. The initiative also challenges the citizenry to develop the passion to visit the country’s tourism attraction sites.
According to the Authority, the country is blessed with a lot of tourism sites. The Authority then urged Ghanaians to visit and explore the cultural and traditional ways of life of other regions. These include festivals, food, cultural, traditional norms and how other regions are endowed with the wonderful gifts of nature in the forms of rivers, mountains, among others.
Moreover, the Authority urged institutions to form tourist clubs in their respective offices and embark on holidays for a change in their lifestyle and works. The Authority further urged hoteliers to offer discounts to vacation on domestic tourism by offering moderate rates of their hotels.
In a remark, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Finance and Administration, GTA, Mr Isaac Adomako–Mensah, assured that the “Let’s Tour Ghana Club” will have the full support of the Authority. The Authority will ensure the initiative achieves the desired aim in challenging Ghanaians to feel Ghana, wear Ghana and eat Ghana. He pointed out that it will bring to bear unity among the citizenry to learn from each other’s historical perspectives.
