Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Akwesi Agyeman has sensitized Ghanaians about tourism as a business and not just for recreation.
Speaking at a Grand Durbar of Chiefs and People of Ada held in Agorkpo as a commemoration of World Tourism Day, themed Tourism and Green Investments, he noted that tourism as a business is a key driver of the economy and urged more people to engage themselves in boosting patronage of the sector to create more job opportunities. “Tourism is a business; it’s not just for fun but how are we creating the jobs for the people?; how are we deriving the prosperity from Tourism?”
He also stated that tourism as a thriving sector in Ghana, would decrease the unemployment rate and increase productivity. However, Mr. Agyeman addressed the challenge of low patronage by the people of Ghana and emphasized the fact that the communal factor within the tourism business cannot be left out.
He called on all individuals especially within Ada and its enclave to make the nation and its economy a priority and also urged the chiefs of Ada to help the youth recognize the opportunity tourism in Ghana presents and engage themselves in bolstering the economy through the sector. “Today is a call for action for all of us to think about the economy and think about the country; a call to action for our chiefs to do a good job in enlightening the people on what tourism is about and a call to action for the youth to engage themselves in boosting the economy through Tourism.”
World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on September 27 every year. This year’s World Tourism Day celebration was hosted in Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyahd. The United Nations World Tourism Organization and The Ghana Tourism Authority celebrate World Tourism Day under the theme, ‘Tourism and Green Investments ;Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity’ . This highlights the symbiotic relationship between tourism, the environment, the planet Earth and the sector as a vehicle to promote the development of the country and sustainable growth for the people through a traditional and indigenous innovative investments.
GTA and sister agencies under the auspices of the Ghana Tourism Authority organized series of activities to compliment the World Tourism Day celebration in Ada included a grand durbar, tree planting exercise, an exhibition and a tour of the majestic sceneries in Ada.
