Ghana targets 2m tourists, $4bn in 2 years — President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that Ghana is working to attract two million international visitors by 2025, whose spending will result in a $4 billion impact on the country's economy. This is part of the country's efforts to make tourism the primary contributor to its economic development.

As part of the implemented measures, he explained, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture was tasked with intensifying its promotional activities, policies, and programs in order to meet the objective.

President Akufo-Addo made the announcement yesterday at the inaugural Presidential Summit on Tourism, held at the Peduase Presidential Lodge in the Eastern Region.

Summit
The brainstorming session for the two-day summit organized at the request of the President attracted participants from all government agencies and departments, as well as private sector industry stakeholders.

"Rethinking Tourism for Economic Growth and Job Creation" is the topic of the conference.


President Akufo-Addo sat in on the presentation of papers, panel discussions, and question-and-answer sessions, an uncommon occurrence among presidential correspondents from various media outlets. This occurred after the opening ceremony and all activities.

It is estimated that by 2033, one out of every 10 positions worldwide will be created by the tourism industry.

Data
Referring to data, President Akufo-Addo stated that the tourism industry was once again expanding following the COVID-19-induced hiatus.


Stats
He noted that international arrivals increased by 81% in 2022 compared to 2021, while domestic tourism increased from 600,000 in 2021 to nearly one million in 2022, and that these numbers were supported by the employment of farmers, caterers, chefs, tour operators, drivers, handicraft producers, musicians, and artists, among others.

President Akufo-Addo stated that the government was positioning tourism at the vanguard of national development and tasked the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority with continuing to spearhead the effort.

"We are constructing a flourishing tourism economy, with numerous tourist attractions currently undertaking renovations.

"We are determined to build a tourism-based economy in which hospitality, arts, and culture serve as engines of economic growth," he added.


Proposals
President Akufo-Addo proposed a four-pronged approach for the summit, ranging from the promotion of reservations to policy leadership and partnership.

He explained that the nation must preserve what it has, adding, "We are the stewards of Ghana's natural wonders, and it is our duty to protect them for future generations, strengthen our commitment to environmental conservation, combat climate change, and promote eco-friendly tourism practices."

This, he explained, would preserve the natural heritage and attract eco-conscious tourists who sought destinations that aligned with their values and whose numbers were expanding significantly worldwide.

President Akufo-Addo called for the amplification of Ghana's unique appeal on the international stage through strategic marketing campaigns, enhanced digital presence, and targeted infrastructure investments to highlight the country's diversity.


Regarding policy leadership, he indicated that the public sector must create the proper environment and platform for investments to grow, and that this was why the government prioritized the e-visa regime, the Homeland Return Act, and the visa on arrival processes.

He explained that in recent years, the government had enacted legislation for tourism sites and attractions through the Ghana Tourism Authority, and that the government would enact additional legislation and create regulations to aid in the sector's development.

Partnership
President Akufo-Addo stated that the tourism industry required partnerships and a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders, as well as a concerted effort, knowledge sharing, and merged resources.

"Let's develop a comprehensive framework that promotes dialogue, cooperation, and innovation.

Together, we can create sustainable tourism models, empower local entrepreneurs, and ensure that the benefits of tourism reach every cranny of our cherished nation," he added.

Minister
The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, stated that the investment in the arts, culture, and tourism sector was yielding positive results, as the number of tourist arrivals increased by 47 percent from 170,000 to 247,000 in the first quarter of this year.

Each tourist spending $3,000 would have a positive effect on the economy, according to him.

"Mr. President, our Destination Ghana Project is on track, and I want to assure all involved parties that we are not relaxing on our laurels.

We would appreciate your support.

Partner with us to make Ghana the tourism destination of choice," Dr. Awal added.