In a bid to reposition tourism as important economic driver in Ghana and generates foreign exchange earnings for the country, create jobs and wealth as well as stimulates other sectors of the economy in the Republic of Ghana and across neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region, the Ezeigbo Ghana, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu (Eze Ohazurume of Ghana, Global Peace Ambassador), alongside a few members of his Royal Cabinet attended a One -Day workshop with the theme:” Leveraging The African Continental Free Trade Area to Increase investment and accelerate socio-eonomic transmformation” organised by The Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of Ministry of Tourism , Arts and Culture.
The Deputy Minister in charge of the Ministry, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, other strategic partners and critical stakeholders were also in the rich attendance list.
The annual workshop which took place on Monday, July 4, 2022, at the luxurious Volta Serene Hotel, Ho, was divided into two sessions as each of the guest speakers took turns to shed more lights on the exploits and opportunities in the Ghana Tourism sector.
Ghana’s torusim sector is emerging steadily from the COVID-19 pandemic as it remains a significant contributor to the country ‘s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and continue to attract foreign investment.
According to Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, who spoke with EzeIgbo Ghana, HRM Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, he authoritatively gathered that Ghana has the potential to further develop tourism infrastructure and services near its well -known historical sites, 334 miles of Atlantic Coastline featuring some of West Africa ‘s most attractive beaches, museums, national parks and wildlife reserves. There are also opportunities in niche sectors such as water sports, surfing , water parks and other entertainments complexes (cinemas, movie hange-outs ) and ecotourism.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Ghana, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, disclosed to the media that his Ministry – MOTAC projects an increase in international tourism arrivals into Ghana in 2022 to one million visitors. Alluding that attracting international visitors is key to recovering of the hotel sector in Ghana, as domestic tourist activity remains steady at around 800,00 visits annually.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, MOTAC it was gathered, anticipates $2.3 billion in revenue for the sector this year, up from $2.1 billion in 2021 during the height of COVID travel disruptions and restrictions.
Playing a huge prominent role in practically repositioning the Gahanian Tourism Sector, President Akufo -Addo had in 2019, launched a new marketing campaign called ‘Destination Ghana’ in London to attract European and international tourists to Ghana for holidays and relaxation.
In making his own contributions while proferring solutions for a more viable tourism sector in Ghana, during the interactive session , His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Ihenetu (Global Peace Ambassador) advised Ghana Tourist Board and organisers of the watershed event to call on the government to rebuild the African heritage and also sponsor cultural festivals of the Kings and Queens in their various regions and communities during such functions like the new yam festivals, traditional masquerade display and other carnivals.
Speaking with the media immediately after the seminar, HRM Eze Dr. Amb. Ihenetu advised the Board to compile a comprehensive data as to locate all tourist attraction sites that have not been visited over the years, construct accessible road network to these areas while ensuring a conducive and secured environment for both local and international tourists.
The respected Monarch, EzeIgbo Ghana, who bagged the award of Champion Newspapers’ 2021 ‘Most Outstanding Diaspora Personality Of Year’ at a colorful event in Lagos, Nigeria, however, advised Ghana Tourist Board to consider the hotel bills and related accomodation logistics and budgets of the visitors which shall be made affordable since it is better to have hotel rooms fully booked than being empty while the hotel management keeps running above cost of production par day. He concluded that making hotel accomodations and apartments affordable will make people not to consider traveling overseas, or to other neighbouring African countries as best alternate tourist destination.