News
GTDC engages media on key achievements; updates public on performance
The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) has held a press conference in Accra to brief the media on its achievements for the year and update the public on ongoing projects.
The engagement brought together journalists, management and stakeholders to discuss progress made within the tourism sector.
The event formed part of the company’s commitment to maintaining transparency and strengthening collaboration with the media as key partners in promoting tourism.
Addressing the media, the Chief Executive Officer Prof Kobby Mensah explained that Ghana is home to rare amphibious wildlife species found in only a few countries.
He noted that these animals mostly appear at night which presents an opportunity for tourism investment through observatory facilities and eco adventure projects.
The CEO mentioned that GTDC is working to attract both local and foreign investors to support wildlife based tourism and to boost the country’s visibility as a preferred destination.
He indicated that the company has introduced the Invest in Tourism platform with more than 12 tourism profiles already uploaded for investors to explore.
Prof Mensah highlighted that the Ghana Tourism Marketplace platform was developed to improve the digital image of Ghana.
He explained that many online reports focus on conflict, flooding and corruption which affects how the world views the country.
He noted that GTM is helping to promote culture events and attractions through curated content for global audiences.
He revealed that the platform currently has over 240 users and more than 50 vendors.
He add that It has also generated over 20 thousand cedis in a month which he described as a promising start for long term revenue growth.
He stated that 57 tickets for Accra by Night tours have been purchased from cities including Lisbon Paris and Bronx through the platform.
Prof Mensah added that artificial intelligence features are being built locally to support marketing and data management.
He mentioned that young people will be trained in tourism product development and customer service through a partnership with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme.
According to him, the trained groups will later list their businesses on the tourism marketplace.
He further announced that the platform will soon help the ministry and the presidency access real time tourism revenue figures.
He expressed confidence in the GTDC team and commended young creatives who are supporting the project despite limited resources.
Prof. Kobby Mensah urged the public to take advantage of tourism platforms and participate in activities that support the industry.
He expressed commitment to promoting Ghana as a top African destination while building a digital system that improves communication marketing and business growth within the sector.
The acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Finance and Administration at the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Naomi Borley Alabi highlighted that the company is committed to improving tourism products across the country to make the sector more attractive.
She mentioned that the team has been working with local communities to help develop tourist sites and boost domestic tourism.
She noted that GTDC has managed several projects successfully this year, including upgrades to selected tourist facilities and the rollout of promotional activities to attract more visitors.
Naomi Alabi stressed that such efforts are helping to strengthen Ghana’s tourism brand both locally and internationally.
She encouraged Ghanaians and private stakeholders to partner actively with GTDC to grow the tourism economy.
She assured the public that the company will continue to introduce new ideas to support job creation and increase revenue in the sector.
Deputy CEO for Operations at the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Felicity Nelson explained that the press conference was organised to brief journalists on progress made and future plans for the tourism industry.
She shared that it was important for the public to know how far GTDC has come with various projects that were started during the year.
She noted that the company has recorded achievements in product development, partnerships and investment attraction.
According to her, tourism has great economic potential, and GTDC is working hard to tap into it for national development.
Felicity further stated that the company is open to feedback from the media and the public as it continues to work to improve services.
She assured stakeholders that GTDC will maintain transparency and keep the public updated regularly.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A woman who is accused of bolting with ‘susu’ money totaling GH₵156,445 has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Martha Nana Esi Afful was alleged to have collected the money from 35 complainants.
Charged with 35 counts of fraudulent breach of trust, Martha, who was earlier remanded, pleaded not guilty.
The court, presided over by Mr Joseph Y. Kuunsong on Wednesday, admitted the accused person to a GH₵200,000 bail with two sureties.
One of the sureties, the court said, must be a public servant earning not less than GH₵5,000.
She is expected to reappear on August 12, 2026.
The Prosecution’s case before the court is that the complainants are traders and residents at La in Accra.
Prosecution described Martha as a ‘Susu’ collector, who resided at Burma Camp.
The court heard that the accused person run a business with the name ‘ZOE’ and she deceived the 35 complainants into believing that she collected ‘Susu’ daily, which was kept for a period of one-three years, and paid interest on the money invested.
The complainants contributed in 2023 for a three-year period, prosecution said.
In December 2025, when the complainants went to take their money with interest, Martha went into hiding and only took phone calls from a few complainants.
Prosecution said the accused provided a MTN Momo number through which a few of the complainants still paid monies.
It said all efforts made to collect the money, totaling GH₵156,445 from her, proved futile.
On June 14, 2026, a report was made to the police and Martha was picked up at a washing bay at Tse Addo.
During interrogation, she admitted the offence in her caution statement, saying she lost her husband and relocated to Swedru in the Central Region, hence the complainants were unable to reach her from December 2025 till date.
Prosecution said Martha further stated that she had invested the monies into refuse collection business and she needed time to pay the amount.
Police are investigating the claims. –GNA
A Public Health Nurse at the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal of the Ayawaso West Health Directorate, Ms Patience Adoli Kporxah, has cautioned the public against coming into contact with floodwaters, warning that exposure can lead to serious diseases, infections and injuries.
Floodwater, she said, should always be treated as contaminated, regardless of how clean it appears, because it may contain sewage, human and animal waste, chemicals, fuel, sharp objects and disease-causing micro-organisms.
In an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Thursday, Ms Kporxah explained that contact with contaminated floodwater exposes people to bacteria, viruses, parasites, hazardous chemicals and other physical hazards that can result in illness or injury.
Her advice came in the wake of recent exposure to floodwater following Monday’s torrential rains that left vast areas of the capital flooded.
As a result, a lot of people were seen either ‘swimming’ in the floodwater to rescue people or retrieving items being washed away.
According to her, exposure to floodwater could cause skin infections, particularly where there are cuts or open wounds, as well as diarrhoea diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other forms of gastroenteritis if contaminated water was swallowed.
Other health risks, she said include hepatitis A, eye and ear infections, tetanus in people with untreated wounds or incomplete vaccination, and injuries from submerged sharp objects, debris or electrical hazards.
Ms Kporxah advised anyone who had contact with floodwater to monitor their health closely and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, muscle aches, skin rash, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
She also urged people whose wounds became red, swollen, painful or begin to discharge pus, as well as those who accidentally swallow floodwater, to report to the nearest health facility without delay.
Although not everyone exposed to floodwater requires immediate treatment, she stressed that pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, individuals living with chronic illnesses and those with significant wounds should seek prompt medical evaluation.
On water safety, Ms Kporxah cautioned that rainwater was not automatically safe for drinking or cooking, especially during or after flooding. She explained that rainwater collected from roofs, gutters or open containers could be contaminated by bird and animal droppings, dust, leaves, bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical pollutants.
She advised that rainwater intended for drinking should first be treated by boiling, chlorination or another approved water purification method before use.
Touching on food safety, Ms Kporxah said factory-sealed bottled drinks and canned foods with intact packaging might still be safe after flooding.
However, she stressed that any containers submerged in floodwater should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before handling. Foods in paper packaging, damaged containers or products with broken seals should be discarded because contaminated water may have seeped into them.
She further warned that flooding increases the risk of outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever and other waterborne diseases through contaminated water sources.
In addition, she said flooding could contribute to respiratory illnesses in overcrowded shelters and mould-infested buildings, foodborne illnesses from spoiled or contaminated food, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and trauma.
It could also disrupt access to medicines and healthcare for people living with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and kidney disease.
Ms Kporxah therefore urged the public to practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater, consume only safe food and drinking water, and seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms develop.
She said observing these preventive measures would help minimise the risk of disease outbreaks and protect lives as the country continues to experience heavy rains and flooding in some communities.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
