Tourism Leaders Court Investors to Bridge Infrastructure Gap
By Esther Korantemaa Offei
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has called on both local and international investors to channel more resources into Ghana’s tourism sector, describing it as one of the country’s most rewarding investment destinations.
According to her, while Ghana continues to position itself as a preferred tourism destination in Africa, inadequate tourism infrastructure remains a major challenge that requires significant private sector participation.
Speaking at a tourism investment forum, Madam Houadjeto said the sector holds enormous potential for investors seeking long-term returns.
“The tourism space is very huge, and we are craving that we get more investors to come into the space to help us develop the tourism infrastructure. The tourism infrastructure lacks support, and that is what we need, a lot of investors to come into,” she said.
She assured potential investors that Ghana offers a safe and profitable investment environment.
“We are telling investors that Ghana is a destination. Ghana makes money, and if you invest in Ghana, it’s not a wasted investment at all. If you want to be richer and richer and richer, tourism is a space to invest because it’s better than gold,” Madam Houadjeto added.
The President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Seth Ocran, also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the tourism industry.
He noted that creating an enabling environment through partnerships would not only attract more visitors but also encourage them to invest in the country’s economy.
“One of the key things my administration is doing is to collaborate with all these institutions to create that enabling environment for tourism. Don’t forget that people will come in as tourists, but coming here they will see opportunities to invest, and that is what we are witnessing here this morning,” Mr. Ocran stated.
Citing a practical example, he said, “Wisdom Table Global came here last year as a tourist, but they saw the opportunity.”
Organisers of the forum said the event forms part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between government agencies, private sector players and international partners to increase investment in Ghana’s tourism industry.
