The Purpose of the First inaugural presidential summit on Tourism in Ghana

The Ghana Tourism Authority led a two-day presidential summit on Tourism. It was the first presidential summit themed “ Rethinking Tourism for Economic Growth and Job Creation”. The event was held at Peduasa Lodge in Aburi, and the Ghana Tourism Authority hopes this summit will positively impact the industry. Various stakeholders from several industries, tourism operators, government officials, NGOs, academics, community leaders, and the media participated in this summit.

The Presidential Summit on Tourism was significant for Ghana’s tourism industry. One of the main aims of this summit was to create an improved and equitable sector where all the major shareholders could benefit. The participants advocated for Collaboration and critical thinking. The joint efforts of communities, tourism leaders, and lawmakers can eventually result in a comprehensive evolution of Ghana’s tourism industry.

The presidential summit’s primary goal is positively impact the tourism sector’s future. Besides, it aims to create job opportunities, develop various national sectors, and advocate for better tourism operators.
The first day of the presidential summit was a great success. The second day was specifically meant for exclusive discussions concerning all the impacts of tourism and how the industry can contribute to the development of Ghana. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, emphasized “Building Synergy: Tourism, Arts, and Culture.” According to Mark, arts, culture, and tourism are fundamental building blocks which are closely interconnected, and their impact on the national economy can never be overlooked.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism revealed that their ministry is fully committed to introducing a cultural policy that guards tourism and offers economic growth. Mark also noted that the tourism ministry has already developed the Ghana Creative Arts Law and is working towards renovating some of the vital Tourist attraction sites.

“Tourism, as a key driver of economic growth, has the potential to revolutionize our nation. The revenue generated from tourism activities creates employment opportunities, stimulates business growth, and contributes significantly to our GDP,” the Deputy Minister of Tourism added.

Chief Justice, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, urged the tourism department to work harmoniously with other vital sectors to preserve all the famous tourist sites in Ghana. She encouraged active stakeholders to invest in education to achieve sustainable growth in the tourism sector. “Tourism, as we all know, plays a pivotal role in fostering economic development, generating employment opportunities, and promoting cross-cultural understanding.”

“Harnessing our cultural assets for inclusive tourism growth requires us all to recognize the immense value of our cultural heritage and safeguard it for future generations. We have a duty to protect and preserve our historical sites, monuments, and artifacts. By investing in their restoration and conservation, we can create sustainable tourism products that will attract visitors from around the globe,” she noted.

Addressing stakeholders and participants at the two-day Presidential Summit on Tourism at Peduase Monday, President Akufo-Addo urged tourism players to explore new industry opportunities, which focus on national Development, job creation, social cohesion, and sustainable tourism.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo requested the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority to improve their promotional activities to achieve the target of two million international arrivals by 2024. In addition to the thousands of jobs to be created along the tourism value chain, President Akufo-Addo said he is confident that the objective can be achieved.

All the stakeholders, artists, creative persons, and other industry players participated in panel discussions. This discussion involved educating the target audience with varied ways of generating ideas and strategies for sustainable and equitable tourism. The talks motivated the audience to improve their connections and enhance their networking within the industry to come up with formulating an action plan to implement sustainable tourism practices.