Dzifa Gomashie(3rd right) receiving the comunique
A communique outlining key priorities for advancing Ghana’s tourism sector has been presented to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, following a high-level industry forum dubbed the Tourism Stakeholders Mixer held in Accra.
The document, drawn from extensive deliberations at the event, emphasizes the urgent need for strengthened public-private partnerships to drive innovation, investment, and sustainable growth within the sector.
The communique was delivered during a meeting with the minister at her office last week.
Receiving the report, Hon. Gomashie acknowledged the insights offered and committed to reviewing the recommendations, admitting that the “lack of collaboration” continues to be a major hurdle for the industry.
She emphasised the need to prioritise collaborative strategies as a foundation for responsible tourism and cultural preservation, expressing her resolve to unify all players in the tourism and creative industries under the shared goal of “marketing Ghana as a cultural destination” — the central vision of the Black Star Experience.
Held on February 12 at the Conclave Event Center in Osu, the inaugural Tourism Stakeholders Mixer was organised under the theme “Building the Tourism We Want Together.”
It was spearheaded by a coalition of tourism professionals and organizations, including the African Tourism Research Network, Hausa Tours, Bentsifi Tourism, Exotic Adventures, Jannice Digital & Co., and Ellevan Consult.
According to PaJohn Dadson of Bentsifi Tourism, who led the organizing team, the mixer served as a pivotal platform for idea exchange and collaboration, providing a foundation for future policy directions and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
The Communiqué outlines several critical areas of focus:
Identifying challenges and opportunities related to infrastructure, marketing, sustainability, and workforce development.
Encouraging collaborative approaches for responsible tourism and cultural heritage preservation.
Proposing a roadmap for policy reforms, investment incentives, and strategic marketing to enhance Ghana’s destination appeal.
The meeting brought together government officials, private sector leaders, community stakeholders, and academia, reinforcing the shared responsibility of all parties in building a vibrant and competitive tourism sector.
Among the distinguished participants were tourism entrepreneurs such as Stella W. Appenteng of Apstar Tours, Gideon Asare of Adansi Travels, Francis Doku, Wilma Bruce of IbyService, and Yvonne Ohui MacCarthy, President of the Institute of Customer Service Professionals.
The academic and policy communities were represented by Professor Kwaku Boakye of Cape Coast Technical University, Prof. Kobby Mensah, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), and Mr. Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO (Technical) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
Also in attendance were Dr. Edward Nyameke, President of the Ghana Hotels Association, and Adu Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), among many other key industry figures.
With broad-based participation and a clear call to action, the maiden edition of the Tourism Stakeholders Mixer sets the stage for sustained dialogue and transformative collaboration in Ghana’s tourism landscape.
