GTA, GHATOF, and GTDC Unite to Rebuild Ghana’s Tourism on Green Foundations
Top officials from Ghana‘s tourism sector have issued a unified call for sustainability-driven transformation, as the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) convened industry stakeholders at the Accra City Hotel for a high-level engagement focused on the future of the country’s tourism economy.
Leading the charge was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, who made a compelling case for green practices as a non-negotiable business strategy rather than a peripheral concern.
“The future of tourism is not just about growth, but about responsible growth — where sustainability becomes a core business strategy, not an afterthought.”
Houadjeto assured stakeholders that transitioning to sustainable models is not without institutional support, noting that funding mechanisms are already available for businesses ready to make the shift.
Collaboration at the Core
Representing sector Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts’ Director of Tourism, Dr. Tamakloe, echoed the call for unity, commending both GTA and GHATOF for spearheading the initiative. He stressed that deepened partnerships across the industry remain essential to unlocking Ghana’s full tourism potential.
“Tourism is About Personalities”
One of the event’s most compelling voices was that of Distinguished Chairman Nene Drolo — first Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies Accra and current Chancellor of the Caribbean Maritime University — who challenged the industry to rethink its fundamentals.
“Tourism is not about government but about personalities.”
Drolo urged a decisive mindset shift, pointing to a critical gap in the sector’s self-awareness:
“We are consumers but do not know how to sell.”
In a governance-strengthening moment, Nene Drolo also administered the swearing-in of chairpersons across GHATOF’s various committees, charging each to lead with vision, accountability, and renewed purpose.
A Sector at a Crossroads
The President of GHATOF reinforced the urgency of the occasion, framing sustainability not as an option but as an industry imperative.
“The hospitality and tourism industry must adapt decisively. Sustainability is no longer a choice — it is the pathway to resilience, competitiveness, and long-term success.”
That sentiment was echoed by Prof. Kobby Mensah, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), who pledged his institution’s full backing for GHATOF’s agenda.
“GTDC is fully aligned with the vision and activities of GHATOF. We will continue to support programmes that promote sustainability, innovation, and investment across the tourism ecosystem.”
Green Innovation on Display
A standout moment of the event was a presentation by architect Rose Ann, who unveiled an innovative Green Traditional Kitchen and Bar concept — a design vision demonstrating how Ghanaian culinary and hospitality spaces can be reimagined through eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, without sacrificing cultural authenticity.
The concept drew considerable interest as a tangible example of how sustainability and heritage can coexist in Ghana’s hospitality landscape.
The Accra City Hotel engagement underscored a growing consensus among regulators, industry associations, and investment bodies: Ghana’s tourism sector must evolve — and it must do so responsibly. With funding on the table, institutional alignment in place, and creative innovation emerging from within the industry itself, the foundations for a greener, more competitive tourism economy appear to be taking shape.
