Accra: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Yussif Issaka Jajah, has highlighted that Ghana's ability to compete in the global tourism market will now depend significantly on the quality of service and hospitality provided to visitors, rather than solely on its tourist attractions.
According to Ghana Web, the Deputy Minister emphasized the rapid evolution of the global tourism industry, where travelers are increasingly expecting higher standards of professionalism and service delivery. To meet these expectations, he stressed the importance of investing in the development of a skilled workforce in Ghana. 'Ghana's competitiveness will not only depend on our tourist attractions but on our quality of service, our relationship with clients, and our hospitality,' Jajah stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during the launch of a partnership between the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) and the Association of Business Executives (ABE), the Deputy Minister announced the collaboration's aim to equip young Ghanaians with practical, internationally recognized skills through a new tourism and hospitality certification program.
The partnership is expected to provide Ghanaian youth with access to internationally recognized qualifications without requiring them to travel abroad. Jajah noted that this initiative aligns with the government's broader agenda of job creation, reducing youth unemployment, and cementing Ghana's position as a preferred tourism destination in Africa.
He further remarked that the program reflects the vision shared by both the Minister for Tourism and President John Dramani Mahama for enhancing the country's tourism sector. The launch event in Accra, themed 'Building a Globally Competitive Tourism Workforce: Advancing Skills, Professionalism and International Qualifications,' gathered key stakeholders from the tourism industry, including HOTCATT's Director Eric Kofi Afornorpe; ABE Country Manager Isaac Yeboah; Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey; and President of the Ghana Tourism Federation Seth Yeboah Ocran.
The HOTCATT-ABE partnership is designed to develop a world-class tourism and hospitality workforce capable of competing confidently on the global stage. Students enrolled in the program will receive training in essential operational areas such as food and beverage service, housekeeping, tour guiding, event management, restaurant management, and front office operations, while earning a UK Diploma in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality. Classes are set to commence in October 2026.