I will generate US$5 billion from tourism by December 2022 – Mohammed Awal
Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, has set a target to generate US$5 billion from the tourism industry by December 2022.
He said he was ready to use his business expertise and entrepreneurial skills to change the face of Ghana’s tourism industry, adding he would infuse business perspectives and strategic policy directions that would rake in huge financial gains for the sector.
Speaking at the maiden two-day retreat for management, staff, and heads of agencies under the Tourism Ministry, Dr. Awal said, “I am committed to making the tourism sector the number one contributor to the country’s GDP from its current third-place ranking.”
He said the sector was currently not doing well as expected and as such its fortunes must be turned round to make it the game-changer in the economic transformation of President Akufo Addo under the “Ghana Beyond Aid” agenda.
“I am going to make Ghana an attractive tourism destination by boosting tourism, culture and, creative arts, given that it is a multi-billion-dollar industry, which needs to be given the utmost attention it deserves,” Awal added.
He said he would make domestic tourism a top-most agenda to attract about one million local tourist visitation annually, and create massive employment opportunities for the citizenry.
Awal, entreated the heads of agencies under the Tourism Ministry to, as a matter of policy direction, inform him before undertaking or executing any of their policies or operations.
John Yao Agbeko, chief director of the Ministry, said the meeting was for the minister to formally meet management staff and heads of agencies under the Ministry to deliberate on how to move the industry forward.
