The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC) in collaboration with private sector stakeholders has finalized plans for an extensive investment in 29 tourist attraction sites to enhance the local tourism economy.
This initiative, led by the Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited, is set to kick off this year, with several projects scheduled for completion in 2024. The government has allocated GH¢400 million for the redevelopment and construction of various tourist sites, aiming to draw two million arrivals and stimulate local tourism.
Announcements regarding these developments were made during the Ghana Tourism Investments Summit 2023, themed “Tourism Investments; A Catalyst for National Development.” The Ghana Tourism Development Project (GTDP), funded by the World Bank, is designed to address infrastructural gaps in targeted destinations within Ghana as part of the broader Destination Ghana Project, positioning the country as the ‘Centre of The World.’
Key projects in the Ghana Tourism Development Project (GTDP) include The Golf Resort (formerly Tema Country Golf Club), Assin Manso Slave River Site, Shai Hills Forest Reserve, Mole National Park, Kakum National Park, Keta Lagoon, Wli Waterfalls, Akwamu Gorge Project, and Paga Crocodile Pond.
Additional sectors identified for further investment comprise Big Hotel Chains, Rest Stops, Amusement Parks, Eco Lodges, and Budget Hotels, as well as Restaurants, MICE Facilities, Beachfront Facilities, Transport Services, Aviation, Digital, and Tourism Platforms.
Kwadwo Odame Antwi, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), highlighted the necessity of filling existing gaps in tourism infrastructure to amplify economic activities within the sector, despite previous government investments.
“We have realized that there’re still gaps when it comes to infrastructure, and we need to reach the Minister’s target of 2million arrivals. For any businessman, the interest is his returns to his investments. We are making sure that we are not investing into just sites but profitable ventures,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister, MoTAC, said “tourism is a propeller of economic growth and with the requisite investments, Ghana could get more tourists arrivals that would experience our heritage, customs, culture and ecotourism.”
He said, “With two million tourists in 2024, we are getting $6 million if each tourists spend an average of $3, 000.”