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Hoteliers Association threaten legal action over unpaid African Games debts
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The Ghana Hoteliers Association has unveiled its plans to investigate what they describe as threats from some of its members to sue the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for failing to pay 80 percent of the funds owed after hosting guests for the 13th African Games in Accra.
According to them, despite only receiving 20 percent of the agreed amount, the hoteliers assert that their repeated efforts to secure the remaining balance from the Ministry have been fruitless.
Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyameke, President of the Hoteliers Association, expressed his concerns about the issue in a conversation with Citi News on Sunday.
He urged the government to implement measures to fulfil its financial obligations to the service providers it engages.
“The games were organised in March, and we are now well into July. These rates were negotiated long before the games began, so one would expect that they were factored into the budgeting for the all-African games and provisions made for payment right after the event,” Ackah-Nyameke stated.
“Only 20 percent upfront payment has been made, with 80 percent still outstanding. I’m not sure if more hotels are affected beyond the 40 reported. We will have to take up this issue because it impacts the industry,” he revealed.
“Even if some hotels aren’t Association members, anything affecting hotels has wider implications, so we will start inquiries and advocate for prompt payment of these arrears,” Mr Ackah-Nyameke highlighted that this issue is not new.
He added, “Some hotels have decided not to deal with public agencies due to similar payment issues. It’s an ongoing problem. We need to find a way to address it, and hopefully, this story will prompt the agencies to meet their financial responsibilities.”
The 13th African Games this year saw over 13,000 participants, including 5,000 athletes, 3,000 technical officials, 3,000 volunteers, and 2,000 guests from 54 African countries. Many of these guests were lodged in hotels in Accra.
The LOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports had negotiated rates with the hoteliers before the games. Over 40 hoteliers report that the Ministry made an upfront payment of only 20%, with a commitment to pay the remaining 80% immediately after the games concluded on March 23.
However, the Ministry has yet to clear its outstanding debt.
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced that the government has accepted the recommendation to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment as part of the constitutional review process.
He said the proposed amendment would affect Articles 3, 13, 19 and 72 of the 1992 Constitution, with offences that previously attracted the death penalty instead carrying life imprisonment.
Dr. Ayine made the announcement on July 30, 2026, at the Jubilee House in Accra during the Government Accountability Series while outlining the government’s position on the final recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee.
According to him, the government believes the death penalty is inconsistent with the constitutional right to life and Ghana’s international human rights obligations.
He explained that the recommendation forms part of broader proposals aimed at strengthening the protection of fundamental human rights under the Constitution.
Dr. Ayine said the government had also accepted the spirit of several recommendations to expand rights relating to women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and the youth.
He added that a comprehensive Human Rights Act would be introduced to protect these rights and provide detailed enforcement mechanisms instead of amending the entrenched provisions of the Constitution through a national referendum.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on both local and international investors to tap into opportunities in Ghana’s tourism, hospitality and creative industries.
Speaking in an interview yesterday with World Media USA Today, the Minister said government is committed to creating a conducive investment environment to support growth in the sector.
She highlighted key investment areas including hotels, fashion, music, film production, and tourism infrastructure.
Dzifa Gomashie also encouraged Ghanaians to invest in domestic tourism to help boost the local economy.
According to her, strategic investment in tourism and the creative economy will drive economic transformation, create jobs, and position Ghana as Africa’s gateway for heritage, culture, business and investment.
“Ghana has vast opportunities across tourism, hospitality and the creative industries. We are ready and open for business,” she stated.
The Minister’s remarks come as government intensifies efforts to leverage culture and tourism as drivers of economic growth and job creation.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
