By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the transformative power of tourism as a driver for economic development, cultural exchange, and sustainable investment at a commemorative event for United Nations World Tourism Day.
The event was held on the sidelines of the inaugural Ghana International Expo and Investment Forum in Lagos, Nigeria, over the weekend.
Mr. Alexander Kwame Nketia, Director for Product Development and Investment, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said the event was not only a celebration of the tourism sector but a call to action for African nations to reposition tourism as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
“This gathering is not merely a celebration; it is a powerful statement of intent. It reaffirms our shared belief that tourism is far more than the movement of people, but a vital artery that connects cultures, fuels trade and investment, protects our rich and diverse heritage, and ultimately, builds a more prosperous and shared future for all our people.”
The event, on the theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” brought together stakeholders from both Ghana and Nigeria to promote intra-African trade, tourism, and investment opportunities.
Mr. Nketia highlighted the importance of deepening Ghana-Nigeria collaboration in the sector, describing the relationship as a “symbiotic one” with immense potential for mutual benefit.
“We envisage a future where a Nigeria International Expo is hosted in Ghana, and where our two nations become the core of a collaborative force, co-creating and co-hosting events across our sub-region and the African continent at large,” he said.
Citing ongoing efforts initiated by government, Mr. Nketia noted Ghana’s commitment to developing a robust tourism ecosystem, adding that initiatives such as this inaugural Expo would serve as catalysts for positioning Ghana as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
Mr. Ambrose Edwin Nsarkoh, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), underscored the global significance of the tourism sector, referencing recent figures by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), World Bank, and UN Tourism.
He said tourism, intrinsically linked to trade, should be prioritized as part of Ghana’s economic growth strategy.
“The importance of the sector’s contribution to jobs and revenue cannot be overlooked. Sustainable tourism is all about making mindful choices, minimizing harm to the planet and local communities while creating positive, lasting benefits for generations to come.”
He pointed out Ghana’s untapped tourism potential and called on private sector actors from both Ghana and Nigeria to partner with the GTA in developing critical infrastructure to enhance tourism product packaging and marketing.
GEPA, he said, remained committed to working closely with the GTA and relevant associations to scale up the sector’s revenue-generating capacity, taking advantage of the growing global tourism market projected to generate over USD 5.8 trillion in revenue.
The four-day Expo brought together institutions such as GEPA, Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), and a delegation of Ghanaian SMEs. The Ghanaian delegation received strong support from host institutions in Nigeria including the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology; the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
Special acknowledgements were also given to the Ghanaian community in Lagos for their support, with commendation for individuals such as Mr. Stephen Ampey and Mr. Hayford for their leadership.
Organisers expressed optimism that the maiden event had laid a solid foundation for future editions and called for continued collaboration to ensure the sustainability and success of such initiatives.
GNA
Christian Akorlie