Ghana has been elected to the executive council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), an organisation charged with promoting ethical, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
Tourism is also promoted as a driver of economic progress, equitable development, and a sustainable environment by the group.
It also provides leadership and assistance to the industry in order to increase understanding of tourist regulations throughout the world.
Aside from Ghana, five additional countries were chosen to serve on the council: Nigeria, Rwanda, Namibia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The council members were selected last Thursday at the 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting in Mauritius.
The theme of the conference was “Rethinking Tourism for Africa: Addressing Global Challenges; Promoting Investment and Partnerships.”
The council will meet with the secretary-general, among other things, to execute decisions that would increase tourism across the world.
The council will be introduced during the UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Uzbekistan in October of this year.
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in his acceptance speech, reiterated Ghana’s commitment to putting travel and tourism at the top of the global development agenda.
He also commended his fellow clergy for their faith in him.
Dr. Awal urged Africa’s tourism ministers to promote sustainable tourism practices in order to safeguard the environment and guarantee that tourism profits benefit communities.
The minister also advocated for more investment in tourist infrastructure and capacity building among operators throughout the tourism value chain to boost the continent’s competitiveness.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the ministry with developing creative methods to successfully contribute to national development through tourism, arts, and culture.
He also urged specific sectors to ensure that foreign visitor arrivals reach two million by 2025, with an annual revenue of $6 billion.
