Former Chairman of the Ghana Hotels Association, Benjamin Afunya has indicated that the recent nomination of Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is highly advantageous to Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Madam Gomashie’s nomination by President John Dramani Mahama was announced in a statement on Thursday, January 16 released by the Presidency’s Communications department.
The patron of the association in an interview with Happy Kasiɛbɔ noted that her arrival is warmly accepted by key players in the industry who are ready to point out the areas within the sector that need critical attention and resolve. “She is experienced and is well versed in the hospitality industry so she knows the work. And there are a lot of initiatives we could not undertake before she left the Ministry.” he explained.
He highlighted some areas which needed urgent attention including, Taxes and the Cost of Utility Bills saying if these two issues are addressed, it would enhance operations within the tourism and hospitality sector. “If she is able to work on these things it will go a long way to help us and make things less costly. These things I have mentioned is what has made our work difficult for us.”
As a sector that works around the clock, Afunya marks the sector as a key beneficiary of the NDC government’s flagship policy – The 24-Hour Economy which will work together with all stakeholders to ensure the advancement of the sector. “We welcome her and urge her to ensure that these things come down; this sector operates round the clock so we have to benefit also from the 24-Hour Economy policy as proposed by the government for the expansion and advancement of our sector.”
By: Kobina Baidoo
