By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, Tourism Analyst and Consultant, has called for a comprehensive governance and leadership review of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to address institutional challenges arising from the reported disagreement between its Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
He said the development should be treated as an opportunity to examine the Authority’s internal governance arrangements, communication systems and executive coordination rather than being reduced to a disagreement between two individuals.
Mr Frimpong, who is also the Founding President of the Africa Tourism Research Network (ATRN), said leadership uncertainty within a key tourism institution could undermine staff morale, weaken stakeholder confidence and delay the implementation of critical programmes.
His comments follow the exchange of correspondence between the GTA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Maame Efua Houadjeto, and her Deputy Chief Executive Officer responsible for Marketing and Special Duties, Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, popularly known as Abeiku Santana, over concerns about executive communication and access to the CEO.
He said, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, on November 4, 2026, confirmed that the matter had been referred to the Presidency for intervention.
Mr Frimpong said although the correspondence did not establish misconduct on the part of either official, the fact that the disagreement had reached the ministerial and presidential levels raised legitimate questions about the Authority’s leadership and governance structures.
He said the Ministry should facilitate a structured review to examine communication channels, executive decision-making, delegation of responsibilities, reporting relationships, and the effectiveness of the GTA Board’s oversight.
“This should not be a witch-hunt or an exercise in assigning blame. The objective must be to identify institutional weaknesses and address them permanently,” he said.
Mr Frimpong also called for clear documentation of the responsibilities of the CEO and Deputy CEOs, including decisions requiring the CEO’s approval and matters that could be independently handled by the deputies.
He said the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), provided for the CEO’s responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Authority, including the delegation of functions, and urged management to translate the legal provisions into practical administrative arrangements.
He further urged the GTA Board to strengthen its oversight responsibilities, monitor executive performance and establish effective mechanisms for resolving internal disagreements before they escalated into public controversies.
Mr Frimpong said the CEO and Deputy CEOs must operate as a coordinated executive team, with clearly defined responsibilities, mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing the tourism sector.
He stressed that public office was a responsibility and should not become a platform for personal advancement at the expense of institutional objectives.
He said the Authority’s leadership must demonstrate professionalism and ensure that internal differences did not distract it from its mandate, particularly as Ghana approached the “December in GH” tourism season.
He said the interests of the tourism industry and the people whose livelihoods depended on it must remain paramount in every leadership decision.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng