Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for a well-trained hospitality workforce to meet the country’s growing international tourism prospects, stressing the need for quality service delivery as President John Dramani Mahama steps up efforts to promote Ghana and Africa globally.
The minister made the call during a visit to the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), where she highlighted the need for industry professionals to prepare for increased tourist arrivals and emerging opportunities in the hospitality sector.
Ghana’s successful bid to host the 2027 World Tourism Organization (WTO) Summit in Accra, following our participation in the 2026 summit in Seychelles, is a significant opportunity for the country to showcase its tourism potential and strengthen its position as a destination of choice.
The ministry and HOTCATT, under the stable hand of its Director, Dr Eric Afornorpe, are implementing its five-year Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, which includes a review of the curriculum to refect global trends, the introduction of certificate and diploma programmes under the ABE-UK/HOTCATT partnership, for which admissions are currently ongoing and the promotion of Ghanaian cuisine and hospitality.
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HOTCATT has accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), as well as efforts to introduce national professional training and certification programmes in hospitality and tourism. The institute has plans of pursuing travel-abroad training and deployment programmes to broaden professional exposure and employment opportunities for trainees.
We would hold further engagements with HOTCATT to consolidate key strategies to revitalize the institute.
I was accompanied by the Chief Director, Mr. Joseph Kwasi Amoah, the Director of Human Resource, Mr. Otto Langmagne; and other senior officials of the Ministry.
