By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, Tourism Consultant and Analyst, has described Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the tourism Minister designate, as a fantastic individual with a lot of experience for her role as Minister.
He said her warm personality and ability to connect and relate with everyone as well as her knowledge and experience in the industry made her the right person to head the ministry.
“She brings quite a lot on her plate, first as an industry person in creative arts and culture, being involved in anything creative arts and culture, coming in as a former deputy minister and exhibiting very good human relations.”
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after the appointment of Madam Gomashie as the tourism minister designate, he acknowledged that a lot would also be expected from her based on her experience and personality.
“We have great expectation as a sector. We expect her to come in with the knowledge and experience she has had in the sector already. She should come in to set the ball rolling because there are a lot of things that has to be done at the ministry, the sector agencies, the private sector and academia.”
Mr Frimpong said the minister designate must work hard to position Ghana on the global tourism space, considering global tourism trends, and liaise with the security agencies to get community tourism police at certain attraction sites who will always be at hand to support tourists.
He said moving across the country, tour guides and tour operators go through a lot of harassment in the hands security personnel at the boarders and police check points, hence the need for dedicated personnel, who understand the sector and its role in the economy.
“Tourism education is also very important. We must be intentional about creating awareness about the role of tourism in the Ghanaian economy and the need for all to treat tourism as such,” he added.
Mr Frimpong also urged the sector minister designate to work in partnership with agencies responsible for sanitation to address the level of filth in and around some tourist attraction sites, to make them more attractive and inviting.
He said she also had to focus on attracting foreign direct investments into the country, adding that apart from the hotels there was no serious investment in the tourism and hospitality sector.
“She needs to work with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and all the agencies concerned to attract the right people to invest in various aspects of the industry. We need to create the enabling environment to attract investors.”
According to Mr Frimpong, the industry lacks reliable data and appealed to the minister to pay attention to research and data to be able to come up with informed policies and decisions suitable for the sector’s growth.
He urged the Minister Designate to prioritise and sustain the Public Private Partnership Forum (PPPF), which is to bring private, public sectors and academia together to quarterly look at industry trends, and the way forward.
She must also consider training and resourcing frontline operators as a high priority.
He advised Madam Gomashie to avoid gossips, surrounding herself with people with personal interest among the sector players, and frequent meetings the various groupings and associations as individuals, but focus on strengthening the PPPF instead.
The Analyst also urged the private sector to focus on developing the sector, saying it was the responsibility of the private sector across the world to lead the tourism and hospitality sector and not the government.
“Government will bring policies and we have to lead it. So, we have to assist the minister by providing ideas and recommendations that will bring a lot of development into the industry. Let us ensure that whatever we do benefits the industry and the entire country.”
GNA