Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts

The Ministry of Tourism of Ghana is the government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism-related activities in the country.[1]

Ministry of Tourism of Ghana
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Agency overview
Formed1993
JurisdictionRepublic of Ghana
Headquarters Ghana
Minister responsible
WebsiteOfficial Website

Functions of the Ministry

The ministry functions to develop and promote tourism and improve the capital city, Accra. These functions are aimed at optimising the socio-economic growth of the country through tourism-related activities and the promotion of environmental impact for the benefit of deprived communities with tourist sites in the country.[1]

Minister of Tourism
Mole National Park tourism in Ghana
Tourist taking photo of elephants with iPad at Mole National Park in Ghana

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Tourism. The president appoints the sector minister, who is then presented to Parliament for approval. The ministry has had a change of name to Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in 2013.

YearMinister
2009–2010Juliana Azumah-Mensah (MP)
2010–2011Zita Okaikoi
2011–2012Akua Sena Dansua (MP)[2]
2013–2017Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare[3]
2017-2019Catherine Afeku[3]
2019–Present Barbara Oteng Gyasi[4]

Tourism statistics

In 2011, 1,087,000 tourists visited Ghana.[5]

Tourist arrivals to Ghana include South Americans, Asians, Europeans.[6] Ghana's all year round tropical warm climate along with its many varieties of wildlife; exotic waterfalls such as Kintampo Waterfalls and the largest waterfall in west Africa, Tagbo Falls; Ghana's coastal palm-lined sandy beaches; caves; mountains, rivers; meteorite impact crater and reservoirs and lakes such as Lake Bosumtwi or Bosumtwi meteorite crater and the largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Volta; dozens of castles and forts; UNESCO World Heritage Sites; nature reserves and national parks are major tourist destinations in Ghana.[6]

The World Economic Forum statistics in 2010 showed that Ghana was 108th out of 139 countries as world's favourite tourism destinations.[7] The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011, Forbes magazine, published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travelers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey Ghana ranked highest.[7] Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.[7]

Panoramic view of Fort Amsterdam in the Central region of Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean

Major tourist sites under the ministry
Tourism destinations in Ghana.[8]
  • Kakum National Park – National Park
  • Mole National Park – National Park
  • Ankasa National park – National Park
  • Cape Coast Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Elmina Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Nzulezo – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tourism sites in Ghana

See also

References
  1. "Ministry of Tourism & Modernization of The Capital City". Ghana Web. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  2. "Ministry of Tourism". Government of Ghana. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  3. "Ministry of Tourism". Government of Ghana. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  4. "Catherine Afeku out, Barbara Gyasi now Tourism Minister". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  5. "We Are Serious About Overcoming The Challenges Confronting Tourism Development". Ministry of Tourism Ghana. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. "Trade Expo International Ghana". uniquetrustex.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  7. "Forbes: Ghana is eleventh friendliest nation". www.vibeghana.com. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  8. "Trade Expo International". UniqueTtrustex. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
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