The Ministry of Finance has said that recognising the key impact of tourism on the national economy, government has prioritised the Tourism sector to receive catalytic support under Ghana CARES programme to help jumpstart the national economy.
The Ministry claims that they have taken these actions knowing that the resurrection of the tourism industry cannot be short-term in nature.
Deputy Minister for Finance John Kumah speaking on Behalf of his Boss Ken Ofori-Atta at a 2 day Presidential Summit on Tourism on the theme “Rethinking Tourism for economic growth and job creation” said government is investing in destination management, infrastructure development, and marketing capabilities to enable rebuild the industry’s foundations, attract a discerning global audience, and propel economic growth.”
He added that, this is in addition to the measures rolled out to support the tourism sector at the height of the COVID Pandemic.
The Depurty Minister also asserted that the enormous potential of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), their efforts have been aimed at not only making Ghana the ‘Gateway to Africa’, but also the ‘Destination of Choice’ for international travelers all year round. “Thankfully, our collective and sustained efforts, since the pandemic, in the tourism sector is beginning to show.”
The tourism industry is multi-faceted with a significant impact on the economy, culture, and communities.
Tourism has been identified as a major pillar of Ghana’s socio-economic transformation. The sector’s capacity to promote jobs, generate foreign exchange, stimulate rapid infrastructural development and enhance overall social cohesion is widely accepted.