Accra: The Greater Accra Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has commemorated World Tourism Day with a call for responsible environmental stewardship in tourism development. The World Tourism Day 2025, observed on September 27, focuses on the theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,’ highlighting tourism’s potential as an agent of positive change.
According to Ghana News Agency, the commemoration event took place at the Accra Zoo, where officials from GTA and their partners engaged in environmental conservation activities such as tree planting and donating trash cans as part of their advocacy for sustainable tourism development. Mrs. Roberta Dawson Amoah, Greater Accra Regional Director of GTA, emphasized the importance of responsible stewardship of natural resources, which play a crucial role in tourism development.
Mrs. Amoah explained that the national event will be held in the Volta Region on September 27, with other regions conducting their celebrations beforehand. She stressed the importance of minimizing environmental impact at ecotourism sites and communities while preserving natural resources for future use.
In line with their commitment to environmental sustainability, the GTA avoided the use of plastic water bottles during the celebration and demonstrated practical conservation measures. Mrs. Amoah stated, “We are intentional about walking the talk. We’ve donated a trash can to the Accra Zoo, encouraging visitors to care for the environment.”
Dr. Gilbert Gyebi, Acting Manager of the Accra Zoo, highlighted the environmental challenges facing Ghana, including illegal mining activities that affect water resources and the broader ecosystem. He emphasized the need for collective efforts in environmental protection to prevent pollution and degradation.
The celebration was supported by private sector partners. Mr. Samson King Afordofer, Manager of Simba Holidays, emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with regulators to support and sustain tourism. Ms. Yvonne Teteh from HelGuard Tours noted the value created by the interconnection between tourism and conservation, emphasizing that tourism is not just about visiting places but also about protecting them.
World Tourism Day is observed annually to raise awareness about the social, cultural, political, and economic value of tourism and the sector’s contribution to sustainable development goals.