Kumasi: The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has initiated a regulatory compliance exercise in the Ashanti Region, targeting accommodation facilities operating without proper authorization. This effort seeks to address the issue of illegally functioning tourism facilities, ensuring they adhere to the necessary legal standards.
According to Ghana News Agency, the GTA has identified 203 tourism facilities in the region that are operating illegally. On the first day of the exercise, six accommodation facilities were shut down. These included Champion International Hotel-Santasi, Nana Sarbeng Memorial Hotel-Dekyemso, Chasfab Guest House-Duase, Ayigya Hotel-Ayigya, Saga City Hostel-Ayeduase, and Lienda Ville Hostel-Ayeduase.
During the operation, workers at the affected facilities were required to sign an Enforcement of Regulatory Compliance Undertaking Form, which was left with them while another copy was taken by the GTA for record-keeping. Notices of closure were prominently displayed on the premises to inform the public. The keys, accommodation room access, and logbooks were confiscated, with customers given until the evening to relocate. Hostel facilities accommodating students were granted a four-day period to report to the GTA and obtain a valid license if they wished to continue operations.
The exercise, led by Mr. Frederick Adjei-Rudolph, the Ashanti Regional Director of the GTA, is set to continue until the end of August. The goal is to visit all 203 identified illegal facilities. Police officers accompanied the GTA team to ensure the operation's security and to handle any potential confrontations with facility owners or workers.
Mr. Adjei-Rudolph emphasized the GTA's mandate under the Tourism Act 817 of 2011 to register and license all tourism enterprises. Facilities that do not meet the required standards or fail to obtain a valid operational license face closure. The GTA had previously reminded tourism enterprises to apply for their licenses, but many failed to comply, prompting this enforcement action.
In 2024, the Ashanti Regional Ghana Tourism Authority successfully registered and licensed 854 accommodation facilities, 78 travel trade enterprises, 66 food and beverage facilities, and three entertainment centers, highlighting their commitment to maintaining industry standards.
