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