Accra: Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has underscored the significance of outstanding guest experiences in driving the growth of Ghana's tourism and hospitality sectors. Speaking at the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), she emphasized that the hospitality sector is central to Ghana's tourism framework, providing not just lodging but unforgettable experiences that define visitors' perceptions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the symposium was themed '50 Years of advocacy, perseverance, and impacting Ghana's tourism and hospitality industry.' Madam Gomashie commended the Association for its fifty years of service and described its journey as a testament to 'vision, resilience, partnership, and values.' She acknowledged the GHA's role as a crucial link between the government, regulators, and operators, contributing to policy development, service enhancement, and industry sustainability amid global and economic challenges.
The Minister reaffirmed the government's dedication to collaborating with the private sector to foster a robust and competitive tourism industry. She outlined key initiatives, including the ongoing revision of the National Tourism Policy, hospitality training and certification programs, investment incentive evaluations through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and enhancements in destination infrastructure.
Madam Gomashie encouraged hoteliers to adopt innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation, emphasizing eco-friendly practices, renewable energy use, and inclusive growth that empowers women, youth, and local communities. She honored the founding members and former executives of the GHA for their foresight and praised the current leadership for maintaining the Association's vibrancy and relevance.
She called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the GHA to position Ghana as a leader in African hospitality through the 'Black Star Experience' initiative. Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, GHA President, appealed for governmental assistance to establish a dedicated tourism and hospitality training school to enhance sector capacity. He also advocated for mandatory membership of all hotels in the Association, transparency in the management of the Ghana Tourism Fund, and regular public-private sector dialogues to address industry challenges.
Mrs. Juliette Taylor, Anniversary Committee Chairperson, highlighted the Association's legacy of perseverance and corporate social responsibility, noting that the celebration commenced with a media launch, health walk, and donation to the Tema General Hospital. Nana Obiri Eduama, representing the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, urged hoteliers to seek professional guidance and invest in staff capacity-building to enhance service quality and improve industry prospects.
The event gathered stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials, and hospitality practitioners to celebrate five decades of advocacy, partnership, and excellence in Ghana's hospitality sector.
