By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Aug. 13, GNA – The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has urged increased budgetary allocation to the tourism, culture and creative arts sector to support infrastructure, training and service delivery.
Mr Victor Opoku Minta, President of the GHA, said the sector’s omission from the 2026 Mid‑Year Budget Review was a major concern, particularly as competing destinations were investing heavily to grow their industries.
He made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, following the presentation by Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, at the Government Accountability Series in Accra last Monday.
Mr Opoku Minta said although the Minister’s presentation provided in‑depth information on developments in the sector, it did not adequately address the financial resources required to sustain and expand those initiatives.
He noted that while education, agriculture and roads received allocations in the mid‑year budget review, tourism, culture and creative arts received none.
“If we have no budgetary allocation, it means that whatever we would have wanted to achieve within that period would not be able to do so,” he said.
The GHA President stressed that adequate funding was critical for the development and maintenance of tourist, heritage and cultural sites, as well as training for tour guides, chefs and hospitality workers.
He warned that inadequate training could trigger declining service standards and lower guest satisfaction.
Mr Opoku Minta identified maintenance of tourism facilities as another area requiring funding, explaining that it went beyond painting to include washrooms, access roads, amenities and other essential facilities.
He cited investments by The Gambia, Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda and Nigeria, noting: “South Africa last year alone invested over 2.5 billion rand in their sector.”
Mr Opoku Minta said the Association was implementing measures to complement government’s efforts, including a five‑year strategic plan with the Ghana Tourism Authority to spearhead specialised training programmes.
He said that the Association was developing an indigenous hospitality‑based booking platform for Ghanaian hotels and guesthouses.
Mr Opoku Minta emphasised that the platform would not compete with existing systems but add value by providing an industry‑driven service through which tourists could easily locate and book accommodation.
He also advocated structured and mandatory industry membership to strengthen coordination, standards, compliance, communication, training and service delivery nationwide.
“Service in Accra should be similar to service in Tamale. It should be equal to service in Ghana,” he said.
On the Minister’s performance, Mr Opoku Minta rated Madam Gomashie’s presentation as “very good” but urged her to advocate increased budgetary support for the sector.
He highlighted challenges involving regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service and the National Identification Authority, calling for dialogue rather than enforcement measures that shut down businesses.
Mr Opoku Minta expressed concern about requirements for hotels to adopt biometric systems for staff and client identification, saying such measures could impose additional costs on small guesthouses.
He further cited multiplicity of taxes as a challenge affecting the hospitality industry.
Mr Opoku Minta said the Association would continue to engage the Minister and stakeholders to find structured solutions to industry challenges.
He urged urgency in planning to take advantage of future opportunities, including preparations for Ghana’s 70th anniversary.
“We should not be ad hoc in some of the decisions. We should be planned and qualitative,” he said.
GNA
Edited Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Hafsa ObengÂ
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