Minister of Tourism, Creative Arts, and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, says his ministry hopes to bring in more than $3 billion to the country’s economy through tourism by the end of 2023.
The Minister stated that the government will work hard with its different stakeholders, especially the Ghana Tourism Authority, to attract 1.2 million international visitors.
Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, speaking during the opening of the Ghana Tourism Authority’s 50th-anniversary celebration and Tourism report, emphasised the Akufo-Addo administration’s commitment to developing and drawing tourists to the country in the coming years.
He also stated that the Kwame Nkrumah Park will be repaired and updated by June 2023 and that he remains committed to making tourism the country’s largest contributor to GDP.
“2023, our target is 1.2 million international arrivals. Domestic arrivals, 1.2 million as well. We are expecting to generate about $3.4 billion for this economy in 2023. We will do it. We are expecting to create 150,000 jobs in 2023. We will do it”, the minister said.
“Tourism is not just about hotels, it is not about foods, music, leisure, entertainment. We are going to train about 6,000 people in the tourism sector this year to improve the quality.”
Yoofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), also spoke at the session and emphasised the importance of using Ghanaians in the diaspora to promote the country’s tourism hotspots.
He also emphasised the significance of high-quality offerings in the tourism industry.
While addressing the National Cathedral idea, Yoofi Grant stated that there is nothing wrong with the country creating the monument if it will attract tourists, citing a mosque in Abu Dhabi as an example.
“I’m sure we all know the famous mosque in Abu Dhabi. It has more visitors going there. In fact, a number of visitors go there every year than we have to come to Ghana” he said.
