The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has stepped up its regulatory enforcement in the Central Region ahead of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebrations, shutting down four hospitality facilities over breaches of tourism laws and operational standards.
The affected establishments are Elmina Beach Resort in Elmina, Savoy Hotel, Veke Executive Lodge and Wiz Homes, an Airbnb facility, all located in Cape Coast.
The GTA said the facilities were sanctioned for various violations, including operating without valid licences, failure to pay the required tourism levy, substandard facilities and poor service delivery.
The enforcement exercise forms part of measures by the Authority to ensure that hospitality establishments meet the required standards before the expected influx of visitors for the Fetu Afahye celebrations in September.
Regional Director of Tourism, Charles Buabin, said the affected facilities had been given several warnings to correct their violations but failed to comply, leaving the Authority with no option but to shut them down.
He said the enforcement would also target facilities that had not yet been licensed but were preparing to accommodate visitors during the festive period.
According to him, caution notices had been placed on some establishments that were yet to commence licensed operations but were identified through intelligence as preparing to receive guests during the celebrations.
Mr Buabin stressed that all accommodation providers, including operators of Airbnb properties, were required to register with the GTA and obtain the appropriate licence before beginning operations.
“In the laws of Ghana, Airbnb is not stated as a facility. All accommodation enterprises are supposed to be registered and licensed before they can operate,” he said.
He explained that the affected establishments would have to address the deficiencies identified by the Authority and pay applicable regulatory fines before they could be considered for reopening.
The Regional Director further advised tourists and members of the public to verify the licensing status of hotels, lodges and other accommodation facilities before booking or patronising them.
He said valid licensing was an important indication that an establishment had met the required regulatory and service standards.
Mr Buabin assured the public that the GTA’s monitoring and enforcement activities would continue across the region, particularly during the festive season.
He said the exercise was intended not only to enforce compliance but also to sanitise the hospitality industry, protect visitors and ensure that tourists and residents received services that met acceptable standards.
The move comes as the Central Region prepares for increased visitor numbers during the Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebrations, one of the region’s major cultural events.
