President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has stated that the government wants to use tourism as an effective tool for economic transformation in a move to create jobs and prosperity for Ghanaians.
“That is why [my] government, with the support of international partners, is investing heavily in key tourism attractions, which will, in turn, boost tourist arrivals this year and beyond,” he stated.
Speaking at the formal opening of the Tema branch of the Alisa Hotel last Friday, President Akufo-Addo indicated that his government, since coming into office in 2017, had initiated policies and programmes which have resulted in the construction of a thriving tourism economy in the country.
He disclosed that the government intended to use the next 18 months to exploit the country’s culture, heritage, history, as well as the hospitality and beautiful natural scenery to attract tourists, fun-lovers and leisure seekers, who are hoping to find a unique experience in Africa.
He noted that the government’s product improvement plan to improve tourist sites in the country were on course, asserting that places like the Aburi Botanical Garden, Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Museum and Kente Museum were receiving facelifts.
“This year alone, it is expected that some $25 million will be expended to upgrade some of our iconic sites, including the famous Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Mole and Kakum Parks, and the Cultural Museums in Yendi in the Northern Region, Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, Akropong in the Eastern Region, and Ho in the Volta Region, under the Ghana Tourism Development Project, supported by the World Bank,” he said.
For him, this project, in all of a value of $40 million, is expected to position the tourism and hospitality sectors as key drivers of social and economic development.
“Some of the benefits that the project is expected to bring are an enriched access to Ghana’s tourism market, better provision of tourism products and services, and the upgrading of skills in the labour force in the tourism, arts, and culture sectors,” the President stated.
He pointed out that the hospitality sector remains the third largest contributor to Ghana’s GDP, after cocoa and oil and gas, accounting for two out of every 10 jobs in the country.
President Akufo-Addo said the hospitality and tourism sectors had witnessed a rebound following “decisive measures” undertaken by his government, which resulted in saving lives, livelihoods and businesses affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.
He stated that the government had also put in place plans to build a state-of-the-art tourism and hospitality training school in Accra.
“The $10 million facility will serve West Africa, and provide customer care training to operators in the tourism and hospitality value chain. When customers are happy and delighted, they do not only stay longer in hotels, but also spend more, and are likely to return in the future with family and friends,” he intimated.
The President continued, “Building the capacity of tourism players is, therefore, important in our quest to be the tourism destination of West Africa.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu