Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency has lauded Emirates for its continued investment in Ghana’s aviation and tourism sectors. 

Speaking at the grand opening of the Emirates Travel Store in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister praised the airline’s commitment to service excellence and its growing footprint in the West African market.

The Emirates Travel Store, designed as a one-stop hub, offers a modern and inspiring space where customers can plan their trips, book Emirates experiences, and receive expert travel advice. 

The facility aims to enhance convenience for travellers and boost Ghana’s appeal as a regional tourism and business destination.

“I am excited that you have been able to upgrade your service to our country,” Hon. Gomashie said. “Our customers and compatriots, as well as the West African hub as a whole, stand to benefit significantly from this,” she said.

She emphasized the importance of learning from Emirates’ globally recognized service standards, adding that Ghana’s own tourism and hospitality industries must adopt similar best practices.

“Those of us who have had the privilege of flying with many airlines know that the service on Emirates is not what you typically find elsewhere. People don’t just pay for cake, they pay for how it is served. And that’s something Emirates does exceptionally well,” she noted.

Reflecting on recent national efforts to develop Ghana’s aviation industry, the Minister referenced a presidential task force commissioned last week by H.E. President John Dramami Mahama to explore the re-establishment of a national airline.

 She remarked that Emirates’ success offers valuable lessons for Ghana as it seeks to build a competitive and service-oriented airline.

“We should not only experience Emirates but learn from the quality of service they provide. If we want to position Ghana as a destination of choice, it’s not just about flying, it’s about how we serve, how we welcome, how we treat others. That warmth is our competitive edge,” Gomashie said.

She also shared a personal reflection, expressing admiration for the Emirates team and encouraging staff to take pride in their roles.

She noted “Working with an airline was something I aspired to as a child, so make it count. Let it reflect in the service we offer not just here, but across all sectors in Ghana.”

Ghana’s Minister of Transport and a member of parliament for Saboba Constituency,  Joseph Bukari Nikpe, expressed gratitude to Emirates for its role in connecting Ghana to the global network and investing in local infrastructure.

“Emirates has carried passengers from Ghana to the rest of the world. The comfort and convenience we see here today is not just for workers but for all passengers and business travellers. We hope Ghana, as a growing connectivity hub, can someday play the same role through our own national carrier,” he said.

The launch of the Emirates Travel Store marks another breakthrough in the airline’s engagement with Ghana and reinforces its role as a major partner in the country’s tourism and aviation development.

Management of Emirates, led by Mr. Saood Al Aqili – Country Manager, and Mr. Adil Al-Ghaith – Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre both emphasized the airline’s commitment to fostering deliberate and strategic dialogue with the Government of Ghana. 

The objective, they noted, is to explore areas of mutual interest where both parties can exchange knowledge, align activities, and work together to support the sustainable growth of Ghana’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Emirates expressed a strong desire to share its global expertise with Ghanaian stakeholders.

 This includes initiating collaborative efforts with Ghana’s tourism board to engage more actively with the Arabian travel market. 

The airline also proposed the introduction of joint promotional campaigns, the organization of industry workshops, and the involvement of leading international partners to help position Ghana as a key travel destination in the region.

Management reiterated that such partnerships would not only boost tourist arrivals but also contribute meaningfully to building Ghana’s reputation as a premier tourism and connectivity hub in West Africa