Ghana, USA to  collaborate to promote tourism, arts and culture

Ghana and the United State of America (USA) have agreed to collaborate to promote tourism, arts and culture among the two countries.

This was the outcome of a meeting held in Accra on Friday, September, 23 2022 between the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal and the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer.

Joint US-Ghana tourism fora

As part of the collaboration, the two Countries will hold joint tourism fora in Ghana and US to help promote tourism potentials in Ghana.

Africa Americans account for 60% tourists to Ghana

The US accounts for over 60% of international tourists to Ghana who are mainly Africa Americans.

Travel to Ghana specifically by U.S. citizens increased by 26% from January 2019 to September 2019 following the launch of the ‘Year of Return,

Some events that attract tourists

The tourists come to revel in many events like Afrochella, Afro nation, Essence, Taste of Ghana among many others.

Dr. Awal said, the US was an important market for Ghana in tourism and therefore urged the Ambassador to use her good office to help market Ghana as a potential tourism and investment destination.

He added that, the launch of the Beyond the Return by President Akufo-Addo in 2019 has made Ghana the centre of attraction for African Diasporans, therefore Ghana was taking measures not to only attract tourist but to repeat tourist arrivals.

“Revamping some tourist attraction sites such as the national museum after extensive renovation, renovating Nkrumah Memorial Park, renovation of both Cape Coast and Elmina Castle and the training of stakeholders in the tourism value chain to improve their customer care orientation,” Dr. Awal added.

On her part, Virginia E. Palmer was happy with the development of Tourism in the Country and said Ghana was a very peaceful Country which is the hub of tourism in the West African sub-region.

She expressed her country’s willingness to partner the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to promote the sector as a way of creating jobs and wealth for the people.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister and the Ambassador agreed to meet again in October to work on details of the collaboration.

150,000 tourists expected in December

About 150,000 tourists are expected to travel to Ghana this December to enjoy the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality and to have fun and leisure.

December is the month Ghana receives the highest number of visitors.

1.1 million visitors to Ghana in 2019

In 2019, 1.1 million visitors came to Ghana following the launch of the ‘Year of Return’ and available data indicate that the first half of 2022 has recorded over 400,000 international arrivals against the country’s target of welcoming one million for 2022.