The Ministry of Tourism Arts, and Culture (MoTAC) and its implementing agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), have disclosed that some 150,000 visitors are expected to arrive in the country to participate in the activities lined up for the ‘December in GH’ events.
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Minister for Tourism, while iterating the preliminary events which have been approved for the initiative, made mention of some significant strides that have been made by the sector despite the effects of the pandemic.
“As of now, the tourism sector has achieved about 70 percent target in terms of measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on tourism businesses.
“As it stands Ghana is attracting more tourists in West Africa due to the country’s vaccination drive and we are expecting some 150,000 visitors for ‘December in GH’.”
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
The Minister made this known during a media briefing on activities and events for this year’s ‘December in GH’ tourism initiative at the Accra Tourist Information Centre yesterday.
The ‘December in GH’ event has since 2019, become a key event in the country’s tourism calendar, contributing to Ghana’s tourism growth.
The initiative, according to reports, constitutes an array of high-profile tourism-oriented events which brings thousands of tourists into the country from across the globe.
Dr Awal touching on the expectations for this year’s ‘December in GH’ stated that the country is on course to attract more tourist arrivals in 2021.
This development, Dr Awal disclosed, aligns with “Government’s ambitions for the sector … to generate about 250,000 domestic and international jobs within the sector by end of year, leveraging significantly on ‘December in GH”.
According to Tourism Minister, “the last quarter of this year is very critical for us in attracting these projected numbers into the country”.
Also, Dr Awal stated that between now and December tourist are expected to arrive “mostly from America, Nigeria, UK, Germany, China, The Netherlands and that is why we need to reinforce the protocols together with the COVID-19 Taskforce.”
Activities at the ‘December in GH’
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, outlined activities such as Afrochella, Polo Beach Club, Rhythms on the Runway, Taste of Ghana, Kwanzaa, and Diaspora Transition, Takoradi Festival, A centenary of demise of Yaa Asantewaa at Kumasi, and GUBA awards, as the preliminary events which have been approved for the activities.
These events, Mr. Agyeman said, would be observed under strict COVID-19 protocols where vaccination cards would only be accepted from guests, and observance of all approved protocols as part of means to participate in the events.
“By November 1, we’ll have the full calendar of events. The Ministry and GTA are still vetting most of the events which have been received and by the end of this month, the full list of events will be announced, and contactless ticketing would highly be utilized to prevent personal contacts.”
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman
According to Mr. Agyeman, participants from the diaspora must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, pre-purchase of COVID-19 test from Frontier Health Service before embarkation; payment on that platform and going through a COVID-19 test upon arrival at the airport in Ghana.
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