The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Huadjeto, has outdoored the Authority’s new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Department tasked to take strategic steps towards fostering sustainable and impactful collaborations between the government and private sector stakeholders.
Speaking at the outdooring ceremony, she noted that the initiative was guided by Section 42 of the Tourism Act of 2011 (Act 817) and that the department would institutionalize the Public-Private Partnership Forum as a dynamic platform for co-planning, co-investing, and co-implementing tourism initiatives. She emphasized that this was not just a policy but a recognition that Ghana’s tourism industry thrives through shared vision, innovation, and strategic investment.
The CEO highlighted sustainable tourism as a key pillar, with a strong focus on green energy solutions to safeguard natural heritage while driving economic transformation. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the tourism sector not only attracts visitors but also reinvests in communities, preserves cultural heritage, and advances ethical tourism practices.
“A key pillar of this agenda is sustainable tourism, with a strongfocus on green energy solutions that safeguard our natural heritage while driving economic transformation”. She elaborated, “We must ensure that our tourism sector not only attracts visitors but reinvests in communities, preserves cultural heritage, and advances ethical tourism practices”.
She further spoke about embracing Ghana’s cultural and creative renaissance, positioning the nation as Africa’s cultural and creative epicenter through the Black Star Experience. She described this as a transformative initiative that would redefine Ghana’s global identity through a year-round showcase of festivals, art, music, fashion, cuisine, film, and heritage.
Maame Efua Huadjeto outlined the aims of the PPP Department, which included streamlining stakeholder engagement, enabling joint ventures in infrastructure development, product innovation and destination marketing as well as bridging gaps in trust, coordination and policy alignment and acknowledged the valuable contributions of partners like UNICEF in promoting ethical and responsible tourism, particularly concerning child protection and community development, aligning with the Authority’s mission.
“Through this PPP Department, we aim to streamline stakeholder engagement to facilitate seamless
collaboration, enable joint ventures in infrastructure development,
product innovation, and destination marketing. Bridge gaps in trust, coordination, and policy alignment to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.” She stated.
Addressing the private sector, she conveyed that Ghana was ready for business, emphasizing that their expertise and investment in various areas such as accommodation, travel, ecotourism, heritage promotion, and digital tourism solutions were vital in shaping policy and driving progress while urging her public sector colleagues to act as facilitators rather than gatekeepers, ensuring that regulatory frameworks empower businesses, unlock opportunities, and align with global tourism standards.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed director of the Public-Private Partnership Department, Rev. Jones Nelson says they aim to intensify their commitment under this new framework to key initiatives such as The Black Star Experience while encouraging stakeholder collaborations
“A crucial aspect of this PPP model is investment. To our esteemed local and foreign investors, we extend a sincere invitation to partner with us in shaping the future of Ghana’s tourism landscape. Whether through infrastructure development, ecotourism innovations, or immersive cultural experiences, your investment will not only yield great returns but also contribute to
an industry that celebrates our identity and economic growth. We encourage strong stakeholder collaboration, ensuring that innovation, sustainability, and economic prosperity guide our projects.”
He declared that the doors of the Ghana Tourism Authority remain open to visionary partners eager to make an impact.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
