Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has highlighted the critical role of exceptional guest experiences in advancing Ghana‘s tourism and hospitality sector.
Speaking at the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), themed “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance, and Impacting Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry”, she noted that the hospitality sector is the backbone of Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, offering not just accommodation but memorable experiences that shape visitors’ perceptions.
Madam Gomashie commended the GHA for five decades of service, describing its journey as a testament to vision, resilience, partnership, and values. She praised the Association for acting as a vital bridge between government, regulators, and operators, contributing to policy formulation, service improvement, and sector sustainability amid global and economic challenges.
Get the latest news, updates by joining our WhatsApp channel here: Join on WhatsApp.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private sector collaboration in building a resilient and competitive tourism industry. Highlighting key initiatives, she mentioned the ongoing review of the National Tourism Policy, hospitality training and certification programmes, investment incentive reviews through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and destination infrastructure improvement projects.
Madam Gomashie encouraged hoteliers to embrace innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation, highlighting eco-friendly practices, renewable energy use, and inclusive growth that empowers women, youth, and local communities.
She also paid tribute to the founding members and past executives of the GHA for their foresight, while commending the current leadership for keeping the Association vibrant and relevant. She called for deeper collaboration between the Ministry and GHA to position Ghana as a beacon of African hospitality through the “Black Star Experience” initiative.
Dr Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, GHA President, appealed for government support to establish a dedicated tourism and hospitality training school to strengthen sector capacity. He also called for compulsory membership of all hotels in the Association, transparency in managing the Ghana Tourism Fund, and regular public-private engagements to address industry challenges.
Mrs Juliette Taylor, Anniversary Committee Chairperson, highlighted the Association’s legacy of perseverance and corporate social responsibility, noting that celebrations began with a media launch, health walk, and donations to Tema General Hospital.
Nana Obiri Eduama, representing the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, urged hoteliers to seek professional guidance and invest in staff development to enhance service quality and improve industry prospects.
The symposium brought together stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials, and hospitality practitioners to celebrate five decades of advocacy, partnership, and excellence in Ghana’s hospitality sector.
