Accra: Mr. Seth Yeboah Ocran, a member of the Car Rentals Association, has been elected as the new President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) after securing an overwhelming 68 out of 72 votes cast at the 2025 GHATOF Executive Council Elections held on Wednesday.
According to Ghana News Agency, in his acceptance speech, Mr. Ocran expressed profound gratitude to members of the Federation for their confidence in him, describing the victory as a collective triumph for all stakeholders in Ghana's tourism industry. Mr. Ocran emphasized the importance of each member of the tourism sector, highlighting the collective effort needed to keep Ghana's tourism vibrant.
Mr. Ocran commended the Electoral Committee for conducting a fair and transparent election and extended appreciation to his fellow contender, Mr. Charles Adujemfi, who graciously stepped down at the last minute. He remarked that the real winner of the election was Ghana's tourism industry.
The president-elect paid tribute to the outgoing leadership for their dedication and hard work in advancing GHATOF, assuring members that his administration would continue building on that legacy through innovation, resilience, and collaboration. He noted the significance of assuming leadership at a pivotal moment in Ghana's tourism journey.
As GHATOF marks its 30th anniversary, Mr. Ocran outlined a vision focused on visibility, policy reforms, sustainability, and digital transformation. He detailed key priorities, including national visibility campaigns, policy reforms, sustainability initiatives, and digitalization programmes.
Mr. Ocran pledged to strengthen collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority, and international partners. He also promised support for small and medium enterprises and indigenous tourism businesses to access financing and promote domestic tourism through initiatives like the 'Black Star Experience.'
Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Charge of Administration at GTA, commended the outgoing GHATOF leadership for their contributions and urged stakeholders to support the new executives. In the vice-presidential race, Mr. Isaac Sackey emerged victorious with 37 votes, defeating Madam Patricia Owusu-Darko, who garnered 35 votes. All 15 trade associations under GHATOF participated in the elections, with the newly elected executives set to serve a two-year term.
