Leverage cultural heritage to position Ghana as preferred tourism destination — Nana Oye Bampoe Addo

The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration at the Office of the President, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has urged tourism stakeholders to leverage Ghana’s cultural heritage and natural attractions to position the country as the “Gateway to Africa.”

Speaking at the 2025 National Tourism Awards, honorary edition, in Accra on Friday, themed “Celebrating Ghanaian Ingenuity and Excellence in Tourism: The Black Star Experience,” she said the sector thrives on the creativity of artisans, entrepreneurs, guides, and market traders. She called for collaboration to elevate Ghana’s tourism potential.

Highlighting iconic sites such as Mount Afadzato, Wli Waterfalls, Mole National Park, Cape Coast, and Elmina Castles, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo urged increased investment, innovative promotion, and the adoption of technology and artificial intelligence to digitise heritage sites, enhance marketing, empower local entrepreneurs, and create jobs.

GTA Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, outlined initiatives transforming the sector through digitisation, training, sustainability, and international partnerships. She announced the Ghana Tourism Information System for managing licensing, levies, and operations digitally, and highlighted the forthcoming Experience Ghana App and Virtual Ghana platform for global exploration.

Mrs Houadjeto also unveiled a Master Training Module with Rutgers University to improve service standards and initiatives aligned with the Green Ghana Agenda, supporting eco-lodges, solar adoption, and environmentally responsible tourism.

The awards recognised individuals and institutions driving excellence in tourism, hospitality, and the creative arts. Honourees included Oswald Okai Teye (Tourism Media Personality, Greater Accra), Professor Lade Wosornu (Tourism Minister’s Legends in Literature), Agya Koo Nimo (Tourism Creative Luminary Award), and the late Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings (Outstanding Cultural Heritage Icon).

BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG

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