Innovative initiatives put in place by the Ghana Tourism Authority to increase international tourist arrivals into the country, has begun bearing fruits with over 411,000 arrivals recorded as at September, 2021. It is more than the total year end arrivals of 2020.
This is according to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal who made the announcement when he appeared before Parliament on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 to respond to some Parliamentary questions pertaining to his ministry.
He was responding to a question filed by the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Dr. Kingsley Nyarko, who wanted to know “the measures the Ministry has put in place or is putting in place to attract foreigners to our tourist sites and historical monuments in the COVID-19 era.”
Due to restrictions placed on mobility by the COVID-19 pandemic, in bound international tourism arrivals into Ghana was hampered.
The Minister indicated in his answer that, his Ministry through its implementing Agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority put in place some innovative initiatives such as Beyond the Return Programme, December In GH, Emancipation Day and PANAFEST Events to increase international tourist arrivals.
He explained that, the Beyond the Return initiative is a 10year programme and a follow up to the successful “Year of Return” in 2019 that attracted thousands of visitors to Ghana.
He said, “So far, there has been campaigns and roadshows in North America to invite African-Americans and partner likeminded organizations not only to invest in Ghana but to visit our key attraction sites like the forts and castles and the historic sites.”
The Tourism Minister said the December In GH which features some popular events such as Afrochella, Taste of Ghana, Rhymes on the Runway, Glitz Fashion, TadiFest, Polo Beach Club among others are designed to attract both domestic patrons and 2nd and 3rd generation Ghanaians born in Europe and America to visit Ghana to participate in events during the Christmas holidays.
The Pan African Historical Festival (PANAFEST) which celebrates people of Africa and of African descent in the Diaspora through arts, culture, music, dance, and theatre, attracts diaspora communities both within and outside to visit the forts and castles.
The Emancipation Day which is celebrated in July – August to commemorate the final abolishing of Chattel Slavery in the British colonies also attracts considerable African Diaspora to Ghana. He indicated. Ghana was the first African country to celebrate Emancipation Day, beginning in 1998.
Responding to another Parliamentary question also filed by the Dr. Kingsley Nyarko, the MP for Kwadaso, the Tourism Minister indicated that the Government has refocused attention on domestic tourism to develop the local tourism industry to guard against loss of revenue in the events of any such restrictions on international mobility brought about by COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
