Accra: Ghana's tourism authorities have rolled out a set of national initiatives aimed at transforming the country's tourism and hospitality industry, as the government steps up efforts to improve quality, inclusion, and competitiveness across the sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, commended the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for introducing innovative programmes, which target skills development, regulation, women empowerment, and youth employment. She made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by Mr. Geoffrey Deladem Tamakloe, Director of Tourism, at a media briefing in Accra to unveil the special initiatives.
The initiatives include the National Training and Certification Programme; Uplifting Women in Tourism (Chop Bars Remodelling Initiative); Tourism Transport Standardisation and Illegal Operators Control; and the Graduate Tourism Employment and Mobility Support scheme. 'Innovation in training, certification, and continuous capacity building is nonnegotiable if we are to meet and exceed international standards,' the Minister said. 'Equally, the role of the Ghana Tourism Authority remains pivotal in ensuring quality assurance, effective regulation, and strategic destination promotion.'
The event, organised by GHATOF in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), Ghana Tourism Development Company, the Ministry of Labour, and a Special Taskforce, was held under the theme: 'Stronger Together for Tourism and Hospitality Growth.' Madam Gomashie said the theme was 'not merely aspirational' but 'instructive,' stressing that the future of Ghana's tourism and hospitality sector depended on deliberate, structured, and sustained partnerships rather than isolated efforts.
She urged stakeholders to embrace cooperation over competition, foster knowledge-sharing, build networks that empower small and medium-scale enterprises, stimulate innovation, and attract investment into the sector. Mr. Seth Ocran, President of GHATOF, said the tourism and hospitality industry made a significant contribution to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that with coordinated efforts, the sector's contribution could rise from the current 5.7 percent by 2030.
He highlighted the Uplifting Women in Tourism (UWIT) initiative, noting that women operating traditional restaurants, popularly known as chop bars, possessed resilience and skills but lacked access to finance, modern equipment, and reliable energy. 'The initiative is designed to close these gaps simultaneously,' Mr. Ocran said, explaining that UWIT was anchored in more than 30 institutional partnerships and governed independently to meet investor expectations. He also praised the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Afua Houadjeto, for her personal commitment to the initiative.
Dr. Eric Kofi Afornorpe, Acting Director of the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), described the institute as a government-owned premier hospitality, tourism, and culinary training centre mandated to produce professionals for the industry. He said HOTCATT had trained thousands of professionals over the years and played a major role during periods when Ghana Airways and Government Hotels actively absorbed graduates trained by the institute. Dr. Afornorpe said the standardisation training and certification programme would ensure visitors received consistent, professional, and reliable service whether they travelled to Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, or Tamale.
Madam Beatrice Naa Ayeley, Greater Accra Regional Chairperson of the Traditional Caterers Association and a participant at the event, expressed appreciation for the UWIT initiative. She said access to financial support and training in modern technology would help traditional caterers expand their businesses and promote Ghanaian cuisine more effectively.