As part of the the unwavering commitment by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture ( MoTAC), Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, to make Ghana’s tourism hub a game changer in the economic transformation of H. E. President Akufo Addo’s vision for Ghana’s “Beyond Aid” agenda, a two 2-day retreat was organized for the Management Staff and the Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, from 25-26th March, 2021.

He observed that the Tourism industry was not doing well as expected and indicated his resolve to turn the economic fortunes of the Sector by creating massive employment opportunities for the Ghanian citizenry.

He further expressed his desire to generate 5-Billion Dollars from the Tourism industry by December, 2022.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, intimated that upon his assumption of office, H E President Akufo Addo indicated to him to use his business acumen and entrepreneural skills to change the face of Ghana’s Tourism industry.

The Sector Minister emphasized that he would infuse business perspectives and Strategic Policy direction that would rake in huge financial gains for the Tourism arena.

He further expressed his commitment to make Ghana’s Tourism Sector number one contributor to the country’s GDP from it’s current third place ranking from the economic performance in Ghana.

He further expressed his preparedness to make Ghana an attractive Tourism destination by boosting Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts segment, given that it is a multi billion dollar industry, which needed to be given an utmost attention it deserved.

He also expressed his resolve to make Domestic Tourism his top-most priority Agenda to attract about One Million local Tourists visitation annually.

Dr. Awal, further entreated the Heads of Agencies under the Ministry to endeavour to always, as a matter of Policy direction have a recouse to him before undertaking any Policy execution of their operations.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. John Yao Agbeko, earlier in his welcome remarks officially welcome Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, for his appointment to the Ministry, adding that the meeting was to also afford the Policy Makers an opportunity to have a deeper knowledge of the Sector-wide performance from the Agency Heads briefings of their activities.

Meanwhile, eleven (11) Heads of Agencies under the Ministry took turns to deliver their presentations on their respective Agencies’ Policy interventions.