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Ghana records $4.8bn in tourism revenue in 2024
Ghana’s tourism sector saw a record-breaking growth in 2024, with historic revenue, increased international arrivals, and a surge in domestic tourism.
According to the 2024 Ghana Tourism Report, the sector generated $4.8 billion— the highest in the country’s tourism history.
The report, launched by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the theme ‘Growth and Stability,’ detailed significant strides in arrivals and spending.
Ghana recorded 1.288 million international visitors in 2024, a 12 per cent rise from 2023.
The increase was largely driven by arrivals from the United States, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, with Nigerian arrivals alone rising by 25 per cent.
Events such as ‘December in GH’ contributed significantly to this growth, with international visitors staying an average of 22 nights and spending over $700 per day.
“A figure that underscores Ghana’s growing position as a premium destination for heritage and leisure travel,” the report stated.
Domestically, 1.68 million visits to tourist sites were recorded—marking a 19 per cent year-on-year increase.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park remained the top attraction, followed by Kakum National Park and Bunso Arboretum.
The hospitality sector also expanded, with 6,702 licensed tourism enterprises operating in 2024, up from 5,786 in 2023.
Hotel occupancy remained high, and the average tourist expenditure per trip reached $3,742.
Cruise tourism saw notable growth as well, with 14 cruise ships docking in Ghana, bringing over 12,600 passengers—a 38 per cent increase.
The Tema and Takoradi ports received about 88 per cent American tourists.
Mrs Maame Efua Huoadjeto, the Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, remarked, “Despite global and regional economic pressures, Ghana’s tourism sector maintained a strong upward trajectory.”
“In 2024, we intensified our collaboration with the private sector, invested in the training and certification of tourism practitioners and improved regulatory compliance.
“We recognised that quality of service is key to delivering memorable experiences and we remain committed to upskilling our workforce to meet international standards,” she said.
Mrs Huoadjeto said the Report not only reflected the progress of the industry over the past year but also reinforced the shared commitment to build a resilient, inclusive, and competitive tourism sector.
“It is a product of diligent research, data collection, and stakeholder collaboration and it captures the full breadth of our achievements, lessons learned, and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Highlighting event-driven growth, Mrs Huoadjeto noted that the report outlined the impact of key events such as PANAFEST, Emancipation, Kwahu Paragliding festival, and Detty December, which collectively contributed to economic activity across the regions and created employment opportunities for thousands of Ghanaians.
Mrs. Huoadjeto urged all stakeholders to “join in shaping the next chapter of Ghanaian tourism, work together to unlock new markets, strengthen infrastructure and leverage digital innovation to deliver seamless experiences.”
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr. Yussif Jajah, highlighted the critical importance of data in shaping tourism policy, noting that in a time marked by climate challenges, technological shifts, and evolving traveler expectations, data served as a vital tool for guiding decisions on policy, planning, and investment.
He said the report offered critical insights into “arrivals, revenue, domestic tourism trends, employment generation, visitor satisfaction, and sectoral contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
Mr Jajah credited the sector’s achievements to support for the creative industry, hospitality training expansion, public-private partnerships, and digitalisation of tourism services.
Looking ahead, Mr Jajah said the ministry would prioritise implementing the National Tourism Development Plan, focusing on regional tourism clusters and initiate its renewal.
—GNA
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
