Tourism: Ghana’s new engine for youth jobs and employment

Ghana's tourism industry is emerging as a vital source of employment for young people, offering skills development and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) are collaborating to implement initiatives aimed at training, certifying, and supporting the country's youth in the tourism sector.

Tourism-related employment in Ghana has been steadily growing. From 252,714 jobs in 2021, it rose to 276,985 jobs in 2022, a 24,000 job increase in just one year. In 2023, direct employment in the tourism industry reached approximately 204,591 jobs, including positions at hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, airlines, tour guides, retail shops, and other tourism-related businesses. When indirect employment from related industries is considered, the total tourism employment in 2023 is estimated at around 429,641 jobs.

In 2024, Ghana recorded 1,288,804 international tourist arrivals, with the number of licensed tourism enterprises increasing from 5,786 in 2023 to 6,702 in 2024. Tourism revenue generated was around US$4.8 billion, driving demand for workers in various sectors such as accommodation, food services, transportation, tour operations, entertainment, and events. International tourist arrivals grew by 1.4% in 2025 compared to 2024, indicating continued expansion of the sector.

One notable program is the Graduate Tourism Employment and Mobility (GTEM) Programme, which will train and certify 200 graduates as professional tour guides. This program also provides mobility support through structured work-and-pay systems to help graduates overcome the challenge of obtaining vehicles for their businesses. The Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto, emphasized the program's objective: moving young people from unemployment to enterprise by linking training directly to productivity.

Tourism employment is not limited to specific workplaces; a single tour guide can generate income for drivers, hotels, restaurants, attraction managers, photographers, artisans, event organizers, and other local businesses. This interdependence highlights the importance of supporting one tourism worker, as it can create economic activity for several others within the tourism value chain.

In addition to the GTEM programme, the National Professional Training and Certification Programme focuses on frontline workers like tour guides, waiters, housekeepers, front-office staff, and restaurant managers. This initiative seeks to provide these workers with recognized professional training, certification, and opportunities to advance into better-paying positions.

Moreover, tourism offers opportunities beyond traditional sectors such as hotels and travel agencies. Young people can establish businesses as tour operators, content creators, car-rental operators, photographers, event organizers, food vendors, travel consultants, and digital marketers. Content creators can utilize social media to promote Ghana's beaches, historical sites, festivals, food, and culture to both local and global audiences.

Tour operators can turn these attractions into organized experiences, while car-rental businesses and professional drivers cater to tourists' transportation needs.

The growth of tourism presents Ghana with a significant opportunity to address youth unemployment. Skills training and certification can prepare young people for immediate employment in various tourism-related sectors. Entrepreneurship support, such as the mobility assistance under the GTEM program, can enable graduates to create their own businesses instead of relying solely on formal employment.

Furthermore, tourism can create opportunities outside major cities like Accra, providing employment prospects for young people living near beaches and other tourist attractions.