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Tourism minister urges innovation as Ghana Hotels Association marks 50th anniversary
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, has called on hoteliers to embrace innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation to strengthen Ghana’s hospitality sector.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining members of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) on Friday to mark the Association’s 50th anniversary at the Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast.
The event was held under the theme “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance, and Impacting Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry.”
Dzifa Gomashie commended the Association for its significant contribution to Ghana’s tourism growth over the past five decades, describing its journey as a story of “vision, resilience, partnership, and values.”
She noted that the GHA has served as a vital bridge between government, regulators, and industry players, helping to shape policies, improve service standards, and sustain operations through economic and global challenges.
“The hospitality industry remains the backbone of Ghana’s tourism ecosystem, providing not just rooms but experiences that form the first and last impressions of visitors to the country,” she stated.
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector to build a resilient and competitive hospitality industry.
She urged hoteliers to support the national campaign against indiscriminate littering and illegal mining, known as galamsey.
The minister outlined several initiatives being undertaken by the ministry and its agencies, including a review of the National Tourism Policy, hospitality training and certification programmes, investment incentive reviews through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and destination infrastructure improvement projects.
She further encouraged industry players to adopt eco-friendly practices, renewable energy solutions, and inclusive growth strategies that empower women, youth, and local communities.
Dzifa Gomashie called for stronger collaboration between hotels and other players within the tourism, culture, and creative arts sectors to enhance Ghana’s appeal as a preferred destination.
The celebration brought together hotel owners, government officials, and tourism stakeholders to reflect on the achievements of the past 50 years and explore ways to sustain the growth of Ghana’s hospitality industry.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
