The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture organised a two-day validation workshop on a draft Tourism Policy in Ho in the Volta Region.
The workshop which was held from the 9th -11th July 2024 was aimed at finalising the policy which would help revitalize the sector and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in Ghana.
The tourism Policy when approved by Cabinet would serve as a blueprint to guide all tourism activities in Ghana.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hon Mark Okraku-Mantey, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture said more countries are closing the gap on tourism as a result the competition on tourism promotion and marketing would be tougher hence there is a need for Ghana to be strategic in our documentation, thinking and innovation as we prepare the policy.
He added that the tourism policy would be the roadmap which would lead us to our promised land therefore there was the need to focus on our selling proposition as a country.
He indicated that the tourism Policy is the game changer and would sustain the industry which is the third earner to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He noted that apart from the natural resources which we use to market Ghana, we must be deliberate about marketing our man-made properties to become a stronger force to complete.
He shared the story of how Qatar used the hosting of the World Cup tournament to market its tourism potential which currently is yielding results.
He was confident that stakeholders at the validation workshop would deliver a document which would give the sector the impetus for growth.
He commended the management and staff of the Ministry for their hard work despite the challenges.
On her part, Madam Abena Amponsah-Bio, Cluster Coordinator at GIZ Ghana, said her outfit deems the validation workshop a significant achievement for the tourism sector.
She added that GIZ Ghana has been implementing programmes and projects that have 360 approaches towards effective migration management.
She noted that her office has implemented holistic strategies and initiatives before, during and after the migration processes.
She stated that GIZ has supported three major migration policies at the national level namely, the National Migration Policy, the National Labour Migration Policy and the Diaspora Engagement Policy.
She revealed that the support for the validation of the Tourism Policy was towards the realisation of a tourism policy at the national level which the German cooperation was delighted to be on board.
“Recognizing that the ministry is part of the intersectoral and implementation committee of the diaspora engagement, the tourism policy is to facilitate the diaspora engagement in Ghana,” she emphasized.
She therefore underscored the strategic importance of the validation workshop and the interwoven nature of their shared interest which the GIZ office seeks to explore and further strengthen in their partnership with the Government of Ghana.
Mr. John Yao Agbeko, Chief Director welcomed participants to the workshop, thanked them for honouring the invitation and urged them to bring their expertise to bear in the validation process.
The Tourism policy outlines a strategic framework to enhance the tourism experience, preserve cultural heritage and ensure environmental sustainability.
Participants were drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies. (MDAs), Tourism Trade Associations, Directors of the Ministry and Civil Society within the tourism value chain.
SOURCE: MoTAC PR