Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal has charged management, staff and the heads of agencies under his ministry to put in motion activities that would lead to the realization of the objective to generate US$5-billion from the tourism industry by December 2022.
According to him, the potential of the sector far exceeds the said target but it’s achievement can only happen if everyone comes on board not only with ideas but a zeal to execute the ideas.
He said the realization of this goal will accelerate economic growth and also draw the needed attention the sector requires to aid economic transformation.
Dr. Awal made this known at a 2-day retreat organized for the management, staff and the heads of agencies under the ministry, at Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
He further observed that the Tourism industry was not doing well as expected and indicated his resolve to turnaround the economic fortunes of the sector by creating massive employment opportunities for citizens.
Dr. Awal, intimated that upon his assumption of office, President Akufo Addo charged him to use his business acumen and entrepreneurial skills to change the face of the nation’s tourism industry.
He emphasized the commitment to infuse his business perspectives and strategic policy direction with the hope to rake in huge financial gains for the sector.
“The tourism sector must be the number one contributor to the country’s GDP. For now, we are number three but we all have to work hard to move to number one in the shortest possible time. This sector has what it takes to leapfrog and that is what I want us to do. When at work, home, anywhere you find yourself, think about how to make your small corner better and bigger. When we all increase our earnings, it will result in a bigger pie.
This is a multibillion-dollar sector globally and we can’t be left out. We will have to hit the top; what is needed is hard work. I have taken time to know the team I am going to work with and I realized that you are all more than qualified for the job. As a matter of fact, we have some of the best brains in the sector among us and this is the time to hit the top of our potential” Dr. Awal said during his address.
He also expressed his resolve to make domestic tourism his top-most priority agenda to attract about one million local tourist’s visitations annually.
Dr. Awal, further entreated the heads of agencies under the ministry to endeavour to always, as a matter of policy direction have recourse to him before undertaking any policy execution of their operations.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, John Yao Agbeko, in his welcome remarks officially congratulated Dr. Awal, for his appointment to the ministry. He added that the meeting was to also afford the policymakers an opportunity to have a deeper knowledge of the sector-wide performance from the agency heads.
Eleven heads of agencies under the ministry took turns to deliver their presentations on their respective Agencies’ Policy interventions.
