Akwasi Agyeman resigns as Chief Executive Officer of GTA 

By Hafsa Obeng 

Accra, Jan. 23, GNA – Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has resigned after eight years of leading the organization.  

He has handed over leadership to Mr. Otto Langmane, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and Mr. Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO of GTA in charge of Operations. 

Mr. Agyeman expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Directors, staff of the Ministry, the GTA team, and all tourism stakeholders for their steadfast support during his tenure and urged them to extend the same support, and more, to his successor. 

Since assuming office in January 2017, Mr. Agyeman led the GTA through a remarkable recovery and growth phase in Ghana’s tourism sector.  

During his tenure, he oversaw notable achievements, including the recovery of the tourism industry post-COVID-19. International arrivals rebounded from 355,108 in 2020 to 1,148,002 in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.  

Domestic tourism also thrived, with visitor numbers growing from 456,000 in 2017 to 1.4 million in 2023. 

Under his leadership, GTA successfully completed several infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of Kintampo Waterfalls, the Kwahu Paragliding Site, Bunso Eco Park, Denkyira Kyekyewere Eco Park, Tano Boase Sacred Grove, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, and Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. 

The redevelopment of the Accra Tourist Information Center and historic sites such as Nationalism Park, the Geese Park, Salaga Slave Market, Bonwire Kente Museum, and Pikworo Slavery Camp are also among his significant accomplishments. 

Innovative campaigns like “The Year of Return,” “Beyond the Return,” “December in Ghana,” and marketing initiatives like “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana” have notably boosted both international and domestic tourism, positioning Ghana as a prime destination for Christmas holidays. 

Mr. Agyeman also led the digital transformation of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), initiating the National Tourism Destination Single Window Project and the “Visit Ghana” App.  

These initiatives streamlined operations and improved service delivery. 

His commitment to training and capacity building was demonstrated through the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa Initiative, which successfully trained over 3,069 individuals in areas like customer service, digital marketing, and tourism product knowledge. 

Under his leadership, GTA established key international partnerships that strengthened Ghana’s presence on the global tourism map.  

Collaborations with prestigious organizations such as Howard University, Warner Music, and Essence helped promote Ghana as a prominent Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in West Africa.  

These partnerships also supported Ghana’s diaspora tourism efforts, enhancing its appeal to global travelers. 

GNA