Accra: The Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) has launched internationally recognised certification and diploma programmes to strengthen Ghana's tourism and hospitality workforce. The programmes, offered in partnership with the Association of Business Executives (ABE) Global, are intended to improve professional standards, expand academic progression opportunities, and enhance employment prospects locally and internationally.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Yussif Jajah Issaka, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, stated at the launch in Accra that the initiative was a strategic investment in Ghana's human capital. It aims to build an internationally competitive and future-ready tourism workforce. The launch was themed 'Building a globally competitive tourism workforce: Advancing skills, professionalism and international qualifications.'
Mr. Issaka highlighted that the programmes go beyond introducing new academic qualifications, contributing to tourism education, technical and vocational skills development, and industry professionalism. He noted that rapid technological advancement, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainability requirements, and changing consumer expectations are reshaping the global tourism industry, making continuous skills development essential.
While Ghana boasts a rich cultural heritage and tourist attractions, Mr. Issaka emphasized that the country's competitiveness increasingly depends on the quality, professionalism, and competence of its tourism workforce. He affirmed the government's commitment to positioning tourism, culture, and the creative arts as key drivers of economic transformation, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. Achieving this objective requires internationally benchmarked qualifications, continuous professional development, and institutions responsive to evolving industry needs.
Mr. Issaka called for inclusive tourism education to ensure that young people, women, persons with disabilities, and local communities across the country benefit from skills development opportunities. He also urged stronger collaboration among government, educational institutions, industry players, and development partners to strengthen tourism education and workforce development.
Dr. Isaac Yeboah, Country Director of ABE Ghana, described the partnership as a strategic workforce development initiative to improve professionalism, service quality, and Ghana's competitiveness in the global tourism industry. He said the collaboration combines HOTCATT's practical industry expertise with ABE's internationally recognised qualifications in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and employability.
Dr. Yeboah explained that the programmes would enable front office officers, housekeepers, tour guides, restaurant managers, and food and beverage personnel to upgrade their qualifications through internationally recognised diploma programmes. These programmes cover a wide range of areas including tourism and hospitality operations, customer relationship management, contemporary industry trends, business management, leadership development, digital literacy, communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, and other employability skills required by modern employers.
The qualifications carry internationally recognised academic credits, allowing graduates to progress from diploma level to bachelor's and postgraduate studies through recognised pathways. Dr. Yeboah added that ABE qualifications are regulated by the UK's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), ensuring international recognition and quality assurance. He urged tourism industry employers to support the initiative through internship placements, workplace learning, and continuous professional development for employees.
Dr. Eric Kofi Afornorpe, Executive Director of HOTCATT, said the partnership marks another milestone in efforts to develop a world-class tourism and hospitality workforce capable of competing globally. He noted that HOTCATT, established in 1991, has remained a practical hospitality and tourism training institution, training various professionals including chefs, front office personnel, and event managers.
Dr. Afornorpe stated that HOTCATT had obtained accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and was collaborating with technical universities to expand professional training opportunities. The new ABE Global qualifications, recognised in about 70 countries, will combine practical industry skills with entrepreneurship and management training, providing certification in tourism, hospitality, business, and leadership.
The programmes will also offer progression pathways to bachelor's and master's degree programmes, improving graduates' employability in Ghana and abroad. Dr. Afornorpe announced that nationwide admissions would begin immediately, with the first cohort expected to commence lectures in October, encouraging individuals interested in the hospitality industry to enrol.