GTA CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto lauds Mahama’s ‘New Economy’ vision

Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto has praised President John Dramani Mahama's 'New Economy' vision, recognizing its potential to transform the tourism industry into a powerful engine for growth. Speaking to myjoyonline.com, she emphasized that the vision should shift the perception of tourism beyond merely attracting visitors to a focus on creating value, generating investment, job opportunities, and wealth.

Houadjeto argued that Ghana's culture, heritage, creativity, and destinations constitute invaluable economic assets that must be transformed into sustainable opportunities for Ghanaians. She stated that the true essence of the tourism economy lies in the value created by each visitor, destination, and experience. Thus, the future of tourism should not solely be measured by the number of visitors, but by the wealth generated from these interactions.

The 'New Economy' vision is the next phase of Mahama's government's economic strategy, shifting the country from economic stabilisation to production, investment, job creation, and structural transformation. Mahama's government has earmarked a US$10 billion investment program to achieve this growth, with a four-year implementation period targeting seven priority sectors: tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, mining and value addition, energy and power generation, and transport infrastructure.

Despite recent funding reductions following the end of Ghana CARES Obaatanpa programme, the sector has proven resilient, with the Ghana Tourism Authority having increased its internally generated revenue, reduced its deficit, expanded the formal tourism sector, and executed planned programs. Houadjeto is optimistic that the 'New Economy' vision will further bolster the growth of the tourism industry in the years to come.