Ministry of Tourism (Ghana)

Ministry of Tourism of Ghana

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Agency overview
Formed	1993
Jurisdiction	Republic of Ghana
Headquarters	Ghana
Minister responsible	Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare
Website	Official Website

The Ministry of Tourism of Ghana is the government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism-related activities in the country.

History

The ministry was created in 1993 to promote, develop and coordinate tourism related activities in the country. In 2003, under the John Kufuor administration the ministry's name was changed to the Ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital city. This was due to the expansion of the ministry's portfolio to include the development of Accra into a modern international capital city. The ministry had another name in change to the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations. In 2009, the John Atta Mills administration reverted the name of the ministry back to the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry has thus had four name changes since its creation.

Functions of the Ministry

The ministry functions to develop and promote tourism and improve the capital city, Accra. These functions are aimed at optimising the socio-economic growth of the country through tourism-related activities and the promotion of environmental impact for the benefit of deprived communities with tourist sites in the country.

Minister of Tourism

Mole National Park tourism in Ghana

Tourist taking photo of elephants with iPad at Mole National Park in Ghana

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Tourism. The president appoints the sector minister, who is then presented to Parliament for approval. The ministry has had a change of name to Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in 2013.

Year	Minister
2009–2010	Juliana Azumah-Mensah (MP)
2010–2011	Zita Okaikoi
2011–2012	Akua Sena Dansua (MP)
2013–present	Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare

Tourism statistics

In 2011, 1,087,000 tourists visited Ghana.

Tourist arrivals to Ghana include South Americans, Asians, Europeans. Ghana's all year round tropical warm climate along with its many wildlifes; exotic waterfalls such as Kintampo Waterfalls and the largest waterfall in west Africa, Tagbo Falls; Ghana's coastal palm-lined sandy beaches; caves; mountains, rivers; meteorite impact crater and reservoirs and lakes such as Lake Bosumtwi or Bosumtwi meteorite crater and the largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Volta; dozens of castles and forts; UNESCO World Heritage Sites; nature reserves and national parks are major tourist destinations in Ghana.

The World Economic Forum statistics in 2010 showed that Ghana was 108th out of 139 countries as world's favourite tourism destinations. The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011, Forbes magazine, published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travelers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey Ghana ranked highest. Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.

Panoramic view of Fort Amsterdam in the Central region of Ghana on the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean

Major tourist sites under the ministry

Tourism destinations in Ghana.

• Kakum National Park – National Park
• Mole National Park – National Park
• Ankasa National park – National Park
• Cape Coast Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Elmina Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Nzulezo – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gallery

Tourism sites in Ghana
Kakum National Park – National Park  Mole National Park – National Park  Cape Coast Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site  Elmina Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site  Nzulezo – UNESCO World Heritage Site  Boti Falls  Wli Falls  Kintampo Falls  Tagbo Falls  Umbrella Rock  Fort Amsterdam  Fort Groot Fredericksburg  Fort Santo Antonio  Fort Metal Cross  National Museum.

See also

• Ghana's material cultural heritage