The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in the Eastern Region has closed down six hospitality facilities in the Kwahu enclave.
According to GTA, the facilities failed to meet the requirements provided under Legislative Instruments (L.I.) 2238 and 2239 (Tourism Regulations, 2016) which are, “Registration and Licensing of Food, Beverage and Entertainment Enterprise” and “Registration and Licensing of Tourist Accommodation” respectively.
The affected facilities were, Debrah Guest House, Elsie Hotel, Cosmos Memorial Hotel, and Daddy’s Motel and Pub, all located at Nkawkaw in the Kwahu West municipality. Other facilities that were closed due to their substandard nature also included Star Gate Hotel and Flor-J Guest House located at Nteso and Obomeng respectively in the Kwahu South municipality.
The Eastern Regional Ghana Tourism Authority manager, Frederick Adjei-Rudolph, explained that the exercise is part of its enforcement and monitoring exercise to ensure compliance with tourism regulations ahead of and during the 2022 Kwahu Easter Festival.
“We do know that Easter celebrations at Kwahu is a peak period for hospitality operators to rake in money, but we must also ensure value for money for tourists. About 27 facilities were earmarked under two categories: enforcement and monitoring. Six were closed down out of the 10 for enforcement, 17 other units will be re-inspected as part of ongoing monitoring efforts because they did not qualify for license this year”.
Frederick Adjei-Rudolph
According to the Regional Manager, the Authority’s regulatory mandate will be fully and strictly enforced. He noted that the exercise will be “very robust, effective, fair and firm”.
Need for Illegal Operating Hotels to Obtain License
Frederick Adjei-Rudolph explained that those operating illegally are under monitoring to start the processes to acquire a license before they start business. He also averred that others who flouted the standardized rules and were closed down would have to correct defects as requested by the GTA before they reopen.
The Eastern Regional GTA boss further speaking on the situation said: “Before a hospitality facility operates, they must obtain, complete, and submit a registration form, submit a document detailing the architecture of the infrastructure, submit all mandatory documents from allied agencies, such as the Fire Service, EPA, Police, etc, who must give approvals. Afterward, a first assessment of the facility is conducted, and processes begin for the issuance of a license within two weeks. The license lasts from January 1 to December 31 subject to renewal after periodic inspection. Operators of new facilities have six weeks to obtain and submit all mandatory and suitable requirements”.
Frederick Adjei-Rudolph revealed that those who are operating below standard, are required to correct defects before they would be allowed to work.
“We do not just close down facilities on poor standards; we identify defects, give caution for it to be corrected before we take action. Those we closed on poor standards had already received information to work on defects identified,” Frederick Adjei-Rudolph indicated.
The Kwahu Easter Festival and Paragliding promise to be a memory to relive after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is gratifying that the annual Kwahu Easter Festival is coming back with all its pomp and pageantry amidst several coordinated events and activities,” the GTA Eastern Regional boss said.
Read also:Come With Specifics-Dr Okoe Boye On Suggestions To Review Free SHS
