Prospects for Tourism Growth in Ghana

Kwame Nkrumah Mousoleum

The Government of Ghana recognises tourism as one of the pillars of the efforts at reducing poverty, creating employment and generating growth, considering the enormous potential of the sector.

In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations is poised to formulate policies and develop plans and programmes necessary to facilitate tourism development in the country.

The existence of rich and diversified natural, historical and cultural heritage enables Ghana to offer a range of varied products and services and exciting experiences to both domestic and international tourists.

Highlights of the resource base include:

Rich Culture
Focusing on:
The Chieftaincy Institution, associated with colourful durbars and traditional festivals, folklore, craft villages (kente, adinkra, wood carvings, pottery, beads, basketry, etc.), local architecture, etc.

Investment Opportunities
Opportunities exist for public and private sector investments in the tourism sector. Specific areas include:

a. Accommodation
There is a severe shortage of quality facilities across the country, particularly Safari Lodges in the national parks, as well as Business and Holiday Hotels within the 3-5 Star categories, to support the expected demand from both international and domestic tourists.

b. Game Park Sites For Safaris and Eco-tourism Sites
A number of national parks, eg. Bia, Shai Hills, Digya, Bui, etc, lack of facilities for game viewing, electricity, treated water, hotel accommodation, park headquarters, and communication facilities, transportation, etc. Mole National Park, which is the only one with some facilities for game viewing, requires extensive infrastructural build-up to support major investments. It also needs safari driveways, and expansion and upgrading of the existing 40-room lodge into a major Safari hotel, as well as electricity from the national grid.

c. Beach Resort Areas
There are areas earmarked for the promotion of water sports, scuba diving, golf resorts, condominiums and holiday villas along the coastline, such as at Keta, Ada, Ningo/Prampram, Bortianor, Brenu Akyenim, Senya Breku, Busua, Abrekum etc.

d. Lake and Island Resorts
The Volta Lake Basin, which is earmarked for niche resorts to promote cruising and other water sports, will require the development of a major marina and minor ports. Hotel sites also require infrastructure. Lake Bosomtwi, the largest natural lake in the country, is earmarked for the creation of a natural history, an ecotourism park, a recreational area and an artisans' village. This site may be serviced and transferred to investor/developers. The Volta and Bosomtwi basins are ideal for the promotion of niche tourism, such as water skiing, yachting, angling, and game viewing in nearby national parks.

e. Mountain Resorts
There are beautiful mountains to be developed into sites for recreation, retreats and sanatoriums. These mountains are at Amedzofe, Volta Region, Kloyo, Greater Accra, Kwahu Scarp Atibie, Eastern Region, etc. Opportunities, therefore, exist for the development of mountain lodges, holiday camps for nature lovers, adventure and eco-tourism as well as retreats.

Major investment opportunities also exist for the development of cable cars in the Volta and Eastern regions.

f. Motels and Rest Stops
Needed on the highways linking the tourism development zones and circuits are stopovers, particularly on the:

• Accra - Kumasi route
• Kumasi - Mole route
• Tamale - Bolgatanga route
• Accra - Cape Coast route
• Sekondi/Takoradi - Elubo route
• Accra - Aflao route
• Sunyani/Techiman - Wa route
• Bolgatanga - Tumu - Wa route

g. Tourist Transport Facilities
Opportunities exist for a strategic investor to establish a tourist transport company to service ground handlers with a fleet of vehicles, pleasure boats and commuter aircraft to boost road, water and domestic flight services for the convenience of tourists.

h. Establishment of Enter-tainment and Recreational Facilities
Opportunities also exist for the development of night clubs, casinos, urban parks and African theme parks in Accra and other big towns

i. Handicraft Markets
The tourist demand for handicrafts as souvenirs is high and this market needs to be exploited.

INVESTMENT INCENTIVES & CONCESSIONS FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY

It is important to note that in addition to the general economic and political environment conducive to investment in the country, under section 26 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994 (Act 478), a new tourism legislation (Promotion of Tourism) Investment L.I. 1817, generous incentives and tax reliefs have been provided to support and attract private sector investment in the accommodation, food, transport, recreation and entertainment sub-sectors of the tourism industry.

Natural Environmental Heritage

• National Parks & Nature  Reserves
• Scenic Mountains and landscapes
• Rivers, Waterfalls, Lakes
• Pristine Beaches, etc

Historical Attractions

History with focus on over 30 forts and castle, including UNESCO designated World Heritage sites, Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, along the coast which exemplifies Ghana-European shared heritage; museums, grottos, slave defense walls, wells and baths, archeological sites, pre-and post-independence monuments.