Efforts to improve workplace safety and professional standards in Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector have received a major boost following a new partnership between the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment.
The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening occupational health and safety compliance, while promoting structured training and certification for tourism practitioners across the country.
Chairman of the Labour Ministry’s Health and Safety Task Force, Dr Daniel Ayikwei, said the collaboration represented a collective commitment to improving workplace standards within the tourism industry.
He explained that the partnership would bring together the Health and Safety Task Force, the Department of Factory Inspectorate, and GHATOF to promote best practices and enforce occupational health and safety regulations across tourism establishments.
According to Dr Ayikwei, the initiative would prioritise the safety and well-being of workers, visitors and other stakeholders within the tourism and hospitality sector.
“The tourism industry remains one of the key drivers of national development, creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the economy,” he said, stressing that maintaining high safety standards was essential for sustaining the sector’s growth.
Under the arrangement, the institutions will also promote information sharing, joint training programmes and coordinated monitoring to ensure tourism facilities operate within safe and healthy working environments.
The partnership is expected to complement the regulatory oversight of the Ghana Tourism Authority, while supporting broader government policies aimed at expanding employment opportunities.
Dr Ayikwei noted that the initiative could contribute significantly to the government’s 24-hour economy agenda by strengthening workforce capacity in the tourism sector and creating new job opportunities.
He estimated that the programme could help generate between 300,000 and 500,000 jobs while increasing revenue generation and supporting sustainable economic development.
Meanwhile, President of GHATOF, Seth Ocran, said the federation had already begun working with accredited institutions to develop and implement industry-wide training models.
He explained that the federation, which serves as the umbrella body for private tourism operators, was determined to introduce standardised training and certification for workers in bars, restaurants, car rental services and hospitality facilities.
Mr Ocran added that GHATOF had already signed a training agreement with NASFORD University, while institutions such as Kumasi Technical University, University of Cape Coast, and Cape Coast Technical University had expressed interest in participating in the initiative.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would help professionalise the tourism industry, improve service delivery and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
