Tourism Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has tasked the newly constituted nine-member board of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) to run the company as a business in order to make it profitable.
Dr Awal, who was addressing the board in a brief ceremony in Accra, also asked members of the board, to in three months present a careful strategic plan for funding to make the company viable. “It is important that GTDC is transformed into a very viable commercial entity to complement the Ministry and the Ghana Tourism Authority in sustaining the country as an ideal tourist destination in the sub region and the continent at large,” he said.
Dr. Awal said Ghana’s agenda to attract two million international tourist arrivals by 2024, is still on course and requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to materialize. “The GTDC must see possibilities in raising funds to finance the redevelopment of some of the attractions in Ghana,” Dr. Awal urged the board.
Kwame Acheampong Boateng, the Chairman, assured Dr Awal of GTDC’s maximum contribution to the sustenance of Ghana’s tourism credentials. He said it was an honour for members to have the full confidence of the President and the Ministry to contribute to the further growth of tourism in the country.
Members of the board include Kwame Acheampong Boateng, Chairperson; Kwadwo Odame Antwi, CEO of GTDC; Tanimu Osman, President’s nominee; Jacqueline Akuffo, President’s nominee; Radia Adama Saani, President’s nominee; Vitus-Otto Langmgne, Ghana Tourism Authority; Philip Abradu-Otoo, Bank of Ghana; and Stephen Kwame Oduro, CEO, State Insurance Company.
The GTDC is one of the 13 agencies of the Tourism Ministry with specific mandate to lead in tourism investments and infrastructure development in the tourism sector, including the development of Ghana’s tourism prospects.
Established as a Private Limited Liability Company in 1972, GTDC also doubles as the commercial wing of the Tourism Ministry and offers services such as tour operations, vehicle rentals and events management. Other responsibility of the company include, tourist site management, hospitality and concierge services.
The GTDC currently manages the Big Tree Tourist Site, Assin Manso Ancestral River and Kwahu Atibie receptive facility. The company is also the implementing agency for the re-development and management of the Paga Zenga Crocodile Pond and Akwamufie Palace Museum under the Ghana Tourism Development Project funded by the World Bank.
