By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 25, GNA – Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, a tourism analyst, says that the manifestos of Ghana’s two major political parties lack concrete policies that address the tourism sector’s expectations and demands.
He said that the policies outlined in both manifestos of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were too general and lacked the specificity needed to make a tangible impact on the industry.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr. Frimpong noted that tourism was evolving beyond traditional practices, requiring more targeted and progressive strategies to keep pace with global trends.
“Tourists are now looking at medical tourism, agro-tourism, sports tourism, how we package cultural heritage.
“These are some of the emerging trends in tourism and hospitality that countries are leveraging on, and we do not see any of the two political parties emphasizing them,” he said.
Mr. Frimpong, also President of the Africa Tourism Research Network, stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was focused more on the Black Star Experience, featuring heritage, film, food, fashion, and music, rather than developing new tourism trends.
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the other hand talks about rolling out a visa free policy, implementing an e-visa policy, establishing a Travel Protocol Service among others, which are things they promised in this current administration but have not done. So, it is just a repetition of the old.
“We were told that by December 2024 we will have e-visa systems working, but as of now, we have not heard anything. It is more of a talk shop, there are no pragmatic ways fashioned out to ensure the e-visa policy comes into existence,” he said.
Mr. Frimpong said that the government was fortunate to have received the Ghana Tourism Development Fund from the World Bank, which was intended to support initiatives like the e-visa system.
However, he noted that nothing had been achieved in that area so far.
“If the NPP said they were going to do it, they have been in power for eight years and they promised to do it, why haven’t they done it, and they are here promising that again.”
Mr. Frimpong reiterated that the tourism and hospitality policies in the two manifestos would not positively impact the economy or benefit industry players.
He emphasized that they would only make a difference if the parties provided detailed plans on their implementation and additional measures.
“Their policies are too generalized, hence would not have any impact on the industry.”
GNA