Industry Leaders Unite to Shape Ghana’s Tourism Future
The Ghana Tourism Forum (GTF), a dynamic platform dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating Ghana’s rich cultural and natural heritage, is set to make history with its inaugural ‘Tourism Stakeholders Mixer.’ This groundbreaking event aims to gather some of the most influential professionals in Ghana’s tourism sector for a collaborative dialogue on the future of the industry.
Slated to foster insights and solutions, this mixer will feature expert-led discussions on key challenges and opportunities in Ghana’s tourism landscape. Professor Kwaku Boakye, a renowned Tourism Consultant and Vice Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University, will headline the event as the keynote speaker. The forum will bring together public administrators, private sector players, and academia to collectively reimagine Ghana as a top tourist destination.
Addressing Critical Challenges in Ghana’s Tourism Sector
The event comes at a crucial time for Ghana’s tourism industry, which faces significant challenges. A shortage of skilled personnel, including trained tour guides, hospitality staff, and management professionals, continues to hamper service quality. Additionally, the sector struggles with infrastructure deficits and limited technology adoption, both of which restrict the ability to offer world-class tourism experiences.
The mixer will highlight workforce development as a priority, addressing issues such as upskilling, retention, and diversity creation. Other pressing topics on the agenda include sustainability, innovation, and post-pandemic recovery, all of which are critical to ensuring Ghana’s tourism remains competitive in an evolving global market.
Collaboration at the Heart of Sustainability
Under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Industry Together,’ the event emphasizes the importance of collaboration. According to Fuseini Nawaru, CEO of Hausa Tours and lead convener of the mixer, “The ‘together’ part of the theme is very key to the message we want to put across.” He believes that fostering partnerships between policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and local communities is essential for driving sustainable growth.
The mixer will explore innovative strategies such as eco-friendly tourism practices, resilience-building, and equitable growth. It will also tackle barriers such as the negative impact of illegal mining (Galamsey), complex visa processes, and safety concerns, which often deter tourists. Furthermore, the forum will stress the importance of leveraging digital marketing tools and social media to expand Ghana’s appeal to global audiences.
A Platform for Industry Collaboration and Dialogue
The event is being coordinated by a dedicated planning committee led by Emmanuel Frimpong, President of the African Tourism Research Network (ATRN). The ATRN, a civil society think-tank, is committed to advancing responsible and sustainable tourism in Africa. Other key contributors include Samuel Obeng Appiah of VoyagesAfriq, Kwaku Passah Snr. of Exotic Adventures, and Janice Tagoe of Janice Digital, among others.
Organised in partnership with ATRN and supported by the Bentsifi Media Platform, the mixer promises to be an impactful dialogue for Ghana’s tourism stakeholders. With expert-led panels and collaborative discussions, the event seeks to build a resilient, inclusive, and thriving tourism industry that benefits all.
Ghana’s tourism sector has proven its potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster cultural exchanges. However, challenges such as environmental damage, competition from neighbouring countries like Nigeria, and outdated systems remain significant hurdles. This mixer aims to tackle these issues head-on, uniting stakeholders to chart a sustainable path forward.
For industry professionals, this is a must-attend event that promises to shape the future of Ghana’s tourism sector—together.
