The President, Nana Addo Dankwa, has commended the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for projecting the Ghana brand widely around the world.
According to the President, the dynamism of the Chief Executive Officer, Akwasi Agyemang, and the dedication of the entire staff have culminated in the milestones achieved in the last six years.
President Akufo-Addo was speaking at the 50th anniversary climax of the GTA, held in Accra, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
“I applaud the tremendous efforts of the Ghana Tourism Authority, its dedicated staff, led by its dynamic Chief Executive Officer, Akwasi Agyemang and its partners [for] the milestone achieved in the last six years,” he remarked.
The President mentioned some of the achievements, such as the growth in international arrivals, domestic travel and the number of tourism facilities, which have set a new standard for excellence, showcasing Ghana as a beacon of hope and a shining example for the world.
He also mentioned the initiatives rolled out, including the widely accepted year of return and beyond the return.
However, he told the GTA not to forget the immeasurable potential that lies ahead, urging them to unwaveringly commit to sustainable tourism practices, innovation and the preservation of cultural assets.
“Together, we can navigate the challenges of the future, build a thriving tourism industry and take Ghana to even greater heights,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, representing the sector minister, urged the gathering to acknowledge the contributions of the visionaries who spearheaded GTA five decades ago, nurturing it from a board to authority.
He said the leadership of President Akufo-Addo had shepherded the tourism ministry to higher heights, including leading the drafting of the year of return and beyond the return.
“Let us continue to work hand-in-hand to build the future, where the beauty of Ghana’s tourism, arts and culture shine even brighter,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Akwasi Agyemang, thanked all the industry stakeholders for the support and collaborations that brought the GTA to its current state.
According to him, the legacy of President Akufo-Addo “in tourism is unmatched”, citing domestic tourism grew by 59% over the previous year.
He said international tourism arrivals have also increased and they intend to achieve more this year.
