The Oti Region is seeking to position its rich natural and cultural assets as major drivers of job creation, private-sector investment and economic growth, with the Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, calling for a strategic overhaul of the region’s tourism offerings.
Mr Gyapong said the region had the natural resources and cultural heritage needed to compete for both domestic and international tourists, but stressed that these assets must be properly developed, packaged and marketed as attractive tourism experiences.
He identified rivers, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, caves, wildlife, festivals and diverse cultural traditions as some of the region’s major tourism assets that could contribute significantly to its socio-economic transformation.
The Minister made the call at a Tourism and Hospitality Awards programme organised to recognise individuals, institutions and businesses that have contributed to the growth of tourism and hospitality in the region.
According to him, Oti’s extensive water resources offer particularly strong opportunities for investment in tourism and recreation.
He cited the Oti River and Lake Volta as potential hubs for boating, fishing, ferry rides, sightseeing, water sports and other recreational activities that could attract visitors while creating opportunities for businesses.
Mr Gyapong also mentioned the Dadawutu Beach Resort as an example of a destination with the potential to draw tourists through its scenic views and surrounding mountainous landscape.
He said the water bodies could further support private-sector investment in boat cruises, fishing tourism, water sports and hospitality services, creating new economic opportunities for communities.
Beyond its water resources, the Minister identified Mount Kyabobo, which rises to about 873 metres, as another major attraction capable of offering visitors panoramic views and opportunities for nature-based tourism.
Other sites he highlighted included Shiare, popularly known as the “Hanging Village” in the Nkwanta South Municipality, with its mountains, rivers and historical significance, as well as the nearby Kankale Waterfalls.
Mr Gyapong urged the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to work closely with traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, local communities and private investors to transform these attractions into professionally packaged tourism products.
He said such collaboration would be essential to ensuring that the region’s attractions are developed into experiences capable of attracting visitors from across Ghana and beyond.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, meanwhile, called for greater innovation and professionalism across Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
She said every visitor should be regarded as an opportunity to present Ghana’s history and culture in an authentic, creative and memorable manner.
Mrs Houadjeto stressed the need for the sector to embrace technology, strengthen skills development and improve service delivery if Ghana is to remain competitive in the global tourism market.
She said government alone could not transform the industry, describing tourism development as a collective responsibility involving state institutions, private businesses, local communities and other stakeholders.
The Authority, she said, would continue working with stakeholders to establish and enforce standards, improve service quality, promote innovation and strengthen capacity within the industry.
Mrs Houadjeto challenged tourism operators to benchmark their services against leading destinations worldwide and continually improve their standards.
“We cannot compete effectively by doing business as usual, we must continually ask ourselves how we can improve, how we can compete with the best in world, and how we can collectively make Ghana more competitive as a tourism destination,” she said.
She added that the success of the tourism sector should not be measured merely by the number of awards presented to practitioners, but by the quality of experiences created for visitors and the reputation Ghana builds as a destination of choice.
Mrs Houadjeto congratulated the nominees and award recipients and urged them to continue driving professionalism, innovation and excellence in Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
