The event brought together industry stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the vital role of guest satisfaction and positive experiences in promoting Ghana’s hospitality industry, stressing that “word of mouth goes further than the adverts we place in the media.”
She made the remark while addressing the 50th Anniversary Symposium of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), held at the Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast, under the theme “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance, and Impacting Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry.”
Gomashie commended the Association for its enduring contribution to Ghana’s tourism growth, describing its 50-year journey as a testament to vision, resilience, partnership, and values.
She praised the GHA for serving as a crucial bridge between government, regulators, and operators, helping to shape policies, improve service standards, and sustain the hospitality sector through various economic and global challenges.
According to her, the hospitality industry remains the backbone of Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, providing not just accommodation but meaningful experiences that form the first and last impressions of visitors. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector to build a resilient and competitive tourism and hospitality industry.
The minister outlined several initiatives being implemented by her Ministry, including:
A review of the National Tourism Policy;
Expanded hospitality training and certification programmes;
Investment incentive reviews through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC); and
Infrastructure improvement projects across key tourism destinations.
She also encouraged hoteliers to embrace innovation, sustainability and digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly practices, renewable energy adoption and inclusive growth that empowers women, youth, and local communities.
Commendation and Call for Collaboration
Gomashie praised the founding members and past executives of the Association for their foresight and dedication, while commending the current leadership, led by Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, for keeping the GHA vibrant and relevant.
She called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the Association to advance Ghana’s Black Star Experience initiative, aimed at positioning Ghana as a beacon of African hospitality.
In his remarks, the President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, appealed to the Minister to support the establishment of a dedicated tourism and hospitality training school capable of training sector workers annually.
He also advocated for the compulsory 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 concerns.
The Anniversary Committee Chairperson, Juliette Taylor, highlighted the Association’s journey of perseverance and commitment to corporate social responsibility.
She noted that the celebration was marked by a series of activities, including a media launch, health walk, and donation to the Tema General Hospital.
Representing the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Nana Obiri Eduama encouraged hoteliers to seek professional guidance and invest in continuous staff training to enhance service quality and boost the industry’s overall fortunes.
The event brought together industry stakeholders, traditional authorities, government officials and hospitality practitioners to celebrate five decades of advocacy, growth, and excellence in Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector.
