Accra: Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, a Tourism Consultant and Analyst, has described Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the tourism minister designate, as a fantastic individual with a wealth of experience suited for her role as Minister. He praised her warm personality and ability to connect with people, as well as her extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, which he believes make her the ideal candidate to lead the ministry.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Frimpong expressed that a great deal is expected from Madam Gomashie, given her background and personality. He highlighted her involvement in creative arts and culture, her previous role as a deputy minister, and her excellent interpersonal skills as assets she brings to the position. He emphasized the sector's high expectations and the need for her to leverage her knowledge and experience to address various challenges facing the ministry, sector agencies, private sector, and academia.
Mr Frimpong stressed the importance of positioning Ghana on the global tourism stage, taking into account global trends, and collaborating with security agencies to introduce community tourism police at major attraction sites. He pointed out that tour guides and operators frequently encounter harassment at borders and police checkpoints, necessitating dedicated personnel who understand the sector's significance to the economy.
He also emphasized the need for tourism education, urging a deliberate effort to raise awareness about tourism's role in Ghana's economy and advocating for partnerships with sanitation agencies to enhance the cleanliness and appeal of tourist sites. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of attracting foreign direct investment beyond the hotel industry and called for collaboration with agencies like the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and Ghana Export Promotion Authority.
According to Mr Frimpong, the industry suffers from a lack of reliable data, and he appealed to the minister to focus on research and data-driven policies to foster sector growth. He also urged the prioritization of the Public Private Partnership Forum (PPPF), which facilitates collaboration among private, public sectors, and academia to address industry trends and future directions.
Mr Frimpong advised Madam Gomashie to avoid gossip and personal interest-driven individuals within the sector, advocating for a focus on strengthening the PPPF. He also called on the private sector to take the lead in tourism development, emphasizing that while the government provides policies, the private sector should spearhead the industry's growth by offering ideas and recommendations that benefit both the industry and the country.
