By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Feb. 7, GNA – Dr Edward Ackah-Nyamike, the President of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), has called on tourism industry players to believe in the professional competence of the Deputy Tourism Minister-designate, who has the desire to make an impact when given the nod.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said Mr Yussif Issaka Jajah, the nominee, was prepared to learn from industry players, understand how the sector operated, and welcome suggestions and recommendations to ensure the Tourism and Creative Arts sector flourished.
The nominee is a three-time Member of Parliament for Ayawaso North Constituency and holds an MBA in International Oil and Gas Management and BSc in Accounting, among other qualifications.
Mr Ackah-Nyamike said the sector was multifaceted and did not require professional knowledge or understanding in one particular field.
Tourism and culture touched on almost every aspect of the economy, from infrastructure to health, education, and roads, which required some understanding and appreciation of the links between the various dynamics to work towards their holistic development to improve tourism, he said.
“Not having any experience or professional training in tourism, hospitality, culture and creative arts did not mean he would not perform. I am sure he will make the impact that we expect him to make when approved,” Mr Ackah-Nyamike said.
“Mr Jajah, from his background, has some knowledge in research, so I want to believe that he will bring all those knowledge and skills to bear in his new role.”
He disagreed with those with the view that an industry person would perform better, saying; “At that level of appointment we are looking at policy formulation, policy implementation and coordination, which require sitting with industry players.”
“So, the deputy minister- designate must demonstrate the readiness to understand the industry and the policies that work for us and come up with solutions.”
Mr Jajah is a three-time Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso North Constituency. He received an MBA in International Oil and Gas Management from the University of Dundee in Scotland, United Kingdom in 2011, and a BSc in Accounting from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in 2009.
He holds an MPHil in Development Finance, and MSc in Energy Economics from GIMPA, and a certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ghana.
Prior to venturing into politics, he was a research fellow at the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation in Accra from 2013 to 2016, and worked as a consultant in the oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2012, collaborating with MDPI and Goodwill International.
GNA