By Samuel SAM
Frank Owusu-Boakye, the Northern Regional Senior Quality Assurance and Standards Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has called for greater support for local hospitality products to boost job creation, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance economic stability, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of citizens.
According to Owusu-Boakye, promoting local hospitality providers will not only help maintain cultural traditions but also instill pride in Ghanaian identity. He underscored the importance of hospitality and tourism industries, including hotels, restaurants and national parks, selling locally-made products such as food, beverages, clothing, and artifacts to promote domestic culture and heritage. This, he believes, will complement the government’s advocacy on the “See, Eat, Wear and Feel Ghana” agenda.
Owusu-Boakye made these remarks during the celebration of National Chocolate Day at the Red Clay tourism site in Tamale. The event, part of the 19th series of chocolate day celebrations organized under the auspices of GTA, aimed to promote local consumption of chocolate and encourage exploring and enjoying the attractions of Ghana.
Highlighting the significance of local patronage, Owusu-Boakye stressed that it reduces reliance on imported goods and services, contributing to self-sufficiency and mitigating the impact of global fluctuations. He also emphasized the crucial role of local patronage during the COVID-19 pandemic in sustaining the tourism sector.
In his remarks, Owusu-Boakye emphasized GTA’s commitment to ensuring the quality and nutritional value of products consumed by Ghanaians. He mentioned collaborations with the hospitality industry to uphold standards and ethics, as well as the establishment of tourism clubs in schools to promote tourism awareness and patriotism among students.
Furthermore, Owusu-Boakye appealed to investors to support the renovation of existing tourism sites to boost domestic tourism. He highlighted the need for collaboration between local industries and the tourism sector to attract more tourists and stimulate economic development.
Expressing gratitude, Ernest Sackey, a beneficiary of GTA’s efforts, lauded the authority’s contribution to promoting domestic tourism in the region. He also called on local industries to support efforts aimed at enhancing the tourism sector for the overall benefit of economic development.
