The Ghana Tourism Authority has embarked on an enforcement exercise to clamp down all unregistered and unlicensed Tourism Enterprises in the Greater Accra Region.
The exercise aligns with recent action taken by the Western regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority to shut down lodging, dining, and entertainment establishments in the Western Region that aren’t registered with or authorized by the Authority.
The Ghana Tourism Authority based on Tourism Act, 2011( Act 817); Section 25 is legally obligated to officially register and grant licenses to various tourism-related businesses including hotels, guest houses, lodges, restaurants, Airbnb, event centers, serviced apartments, car rentals and more.
Tourism enterprises in the Greater Accra region that were closed down by officials of the authority and police detail, either failed to meet the minimum requirement as per the authority’s legislative instruments (LI) 2235, 2238, 2389 and 2239 or owe outstanding debts of the 1% Tourism Levy.
Speaking as a patron of the enforcement, GTA Head of Corporate Affairs; Rev. Jones Haruna Nelson, stated that the exercise is geared towards eradicating lawlessness in the system. He also highlighted the need for GTA to ensure that all tourism-related businesses meet the required standards to operate, even as they prepare for the long chain of events in the imminent festive season. “It aligns well; if you look at the events we have this December, we need to ensure that all these enterprises are regulated and licensed, once we do that we can sanitize the system and allow them to enjoy the benefits that come with it.”
Also present was GTA Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, who echoed the efforts made by the Ghana Tourism Authority on Friday, September 29, 2023, urging all tourism enterprises to get registered and be regulated by the GTA by Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
He also revealed that a staggering number of tourism-related businesses were operating without licenses and have failed to pay the 1% Tourism Levy. “Based on the sub section of section 25 of the Tourism Act any tourism related business that operates must do so with an official license given by the Ghana Tourism Authority; citizens of Ghana must know that the Ghana Tourism Authority is very keen on standards and quality assurance; our main goal is not to close down businesses but rather to ensure that these enterprises align themselves to the standards given by the Ghana Tourism Authority.”
The following are the tourism-related businesses and enterprises that have been closed until further notice;
Zen Garden, Labone, Zion Hut Restaurant and Bar, Tse – Ado, Newrest Ghana, Airport Residential, De Icon, East Legon and Safcal Lodge & Restaurant , Pantan Junction.
The exercise shall gradually be extended to all parts of Accra to ensure, all tourism-related businesses comply and meet the standards presented by the Ghana Tourism Authority.