The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has organised a two-day training workshop for tourism officers and other management staff in Aburi.
The training which was held from 10th -11th November 2022 had the theme “Tourism in Contemporary Times”.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr John Yao Agbeko, Chief Director of the Ministry said staff training and capacity development was critical to reinforcing existing skills and competencies so that employees can become more productive.
He stated that skilled employees are confident, optimistic, and ready for the future workplace and any challenges it may bring.
‘’ Employee reskilling and upskilling are currently top priorities among companies that want to safeguard their position in the market and adopt the latest technologies and work trends” Mr Agbeko said.
On his part, Mr Vitus Otto Langmagne, Director of Human Resources said the training session was being carried out systematically to cover all the Departments of the ministry.
He said the training aimed to improve on what officers already have, build capacities and fill gaps.
He noted that times had changed as a result officers ought to be abreast with global trends to stay relevant.
He stated that at the end of the training, staff would be more productive in what they do and change the image of the Ministry.
He urged participants to pay attention to the resource person to be able to ask relevant questions.
Professor Kwaku Boakye, Dean of International Relations at the University of Cape Coast, took participants through four (4) main models for the training workshop which are the foundational issues which focused on three main perspectives, demand, supply and what is tourism.
The second model was on Ghana as a tourism destination, determination of the stage in which Ghana has attained in tourism, and as a healthy destination, critical success factors and indicators of a vibrant destination.
The third and final models discussed the changing paradigms, changing philosophies, and the state as an entrepreneur, regulator, facilitator, and sector redefinition based on current trends.
Prof. Boakye said the tourism sector has grown exponentially from 172,000 arrivals and earnings of $118million in 1991 to 1,130307 million arrivals and $3.2billion earnings in 2019.
He noted that as matter of urgency, the government should focus on tourism as an agent of development rather than recreation.
He indicated that the development of tourism should be geared towards economic growth as a result government should decentralize the sector and build the capacities of local assemblies to harness its full benefit.
He urged the government to consider domestic tourism also by providing incentives to citizens because there was a strong emergence of the middle class in Ghana who is interested in exploring the country.
Prof Boakye indicated that the main areas of touristic patronage are the Cape Coast – Elmina Areas, the Kumasi Area, parts of Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Region Western particularly the Coastal Areas in the Western Region – Takoradi, Busua, Axim stretch, the Eastern Coast, Eastern parts of Greater Accra, southern parts of Eastern Region and the Volta Region
These four areas account for almost 90% of tourist traffic. The rest is spread across the other regions, particularly the Northern which has famous attractions like the Mole National Park.
SOURCE: MOTAC PR
