The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched its 50th anniversary celebration with a significant impact and growth in the tourism industry towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The 50th anniversary is on the theme “Sustainable and inclusive tourism development: 50 years and beyond.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, said the growth was a result of strategic partnerships with stakeholders, particularly the private sector, which had enabled them to work together to promote Ghana’s unique Cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and warm hospitality.
He said Ghana experienced a significant increase of 47 per cent in international arrivals from 623,523 in 2021 to 914,892 in 2022, outperforming most African countries which were doing 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, while Ghana did 81 per cent.
“This is a testament to the success of the many strategies we put in place such as the Destination Ghana campaign launched by H.E the President and our continuing effort through the Beyond the Return Project to be the Mecca of the African diaspora,” he added.
Mr Agyeman indicated that the domestic tourism sector also recorded a remarkable growth of 55 per cent increase from 588,946 in 2021, to 937,087 in 2022.
“Ghanaians are discovering the beauty of our country and are choosing to explore their own backyard, which is great news for the local economy. Tourist sites such as Aburi Botanical Gardens, the Kumasi Zoo and the Kakum National Park all showed strong performance,” he stated.
The CEO added that the number of formal licensed tourism facilities also increased by 6 per cent with 323 newly registered projects indicating that the private sector was investing in the tourism industry and recognising its potential for growth and profitability.
He recounted that in the year under review, work started on the Aburi Botanical Garden, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the Yaa Asantewaa Museum, the Pikworo Slave camp and MOUs were signed with some 13 communities for project upgrades, saying this was in line with the new Legislative Instrument LI 2393 on tourist sites and attractions.
Mr Agyeman commended the private sector for their contributions towards the growth of the industry and expressed GTA’s commitment to promoting Ghana as a top tourist destination while ensurung that operators provide high-quality services to visitors, and also adhering to the highest standards of safety and security.
The Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal commended the GTA for the success chalked over the past 50 years and urged staff to acquire critical skills to meet the challenging demands in the tourism sector and to be able to solve them to raise revenue for the sector.
Some programmes outlined for the celebration include the Kwahu Paragliding, May Day celebration, Float, staff bonding activities, presidential summit, blood donation exercise and Health screening, formal launch of GTA Retirees Association, familiarisation tour for staff, management and board of directors, Panafest/Emancipation, official commissioning of Geese Park.
The rest are industry games and fun day, tourism month in Ada, world tourism day, senior staff association congress, dinner and awards night, 50th Jubilee musical concert, thanksgiving service, carol’s service and end of year Party, Taste of Ghana and December in GH events.
As part of the programme, GTA also used the opportunity to launch its 2022 annual report and new website www.ghana.travel to drive more investors.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
