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Ghana Tourism Sector

Ghana’s tourism sector is emerging steadily from the Covid pandemic. It remains a significant contributor to Ghana’s GDP and continues to attract foreign investment. Ghana has the potential to further develop tourism infrastructure and services near its well-known historical sites, 334 miles of Atlantic coastline featuring some of West Africa’s most attractive beaches, national parks, and wildlife reserves. There are also opportunities in niche sectors such as water sports, such as surfing, water parks and other entertainment complexes, and ecotourism. 

The Ghanaian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) projects an increase in international tourism arrivals into Ghana in 2022 to one million visitors. Attracting international visitors is key to recovery of the hotel sector, in particular. Domestic tourist activity remains steady at around 800,000 visits annually. The MoTAC anticipates $2.3 billion in revenue for the sector this year, up from $2.1 billion in 2021 during the height of Covid travel disruptions and restrictions.  

President Akufo-Addo launched a new tourism marketing campaign called Destination Ghana in London to attract European and international tourists to Ghana. Local hotels and other tourist sector actors are working to renew their individual marketing strategies, as well. Destination Ghana follows the successful 2019 Year of the Return campaign, a year-long program of activities to recognize the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in the state of Virginia.  The second phase of the Year of the Return campaign, which is called Beyond the Return, was planned for 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.  Ghana’s historical sites along the Cape Coast in particular, remain an important destination for U.S. and other international diaspora visitors.  

The Government of Ghana announced the removal of several Covid-related travel requirements. Negative rapid PCR tests are no longer required prior to flying to Ghana and a $150 antigen test upon arrival in Ghana has been phased out, as well.  (As in most countries, these measures, are subject to change depending upon future Covid-related developments).  Now, the only requirement for tourists to visit Ghana is proof of full vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). 

There are a number of specific opportunities that U.S. companies can explore such as: 

  • The development of tourist entertainment complexes, including water parks, water sports, and surfing complexes. 
  • The development of a waterfront promenade in Accra.
  • Refurbishment of key historical sites, including the Cape Coast and Elmina castles as well as the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. 
  • Hotels and infrastructure leading to hotel resorts along Ghana’s extensive coastline.  
  • The development of tourist facilities and infrastructure along Ghana’s Volta delta and Volta lake, the world’s largest artificial lake. 
  • The development of ecotourism in Ghana’s lush, mountainous, eastern region along the border with Togo, which features hiking, coffee plantations, and waterfalls.  
  • Infrastructure, tourist services, and accommodations near Ghana’s national parks and wildlife reserves. 

For more information about the tourism sector in Ghana, contact the Rita Adubra-Asante in the Commercial Section of U.S. Embassy Ghana at office.accra@trade.gov, Tel: +233(0)30-274-1870.   
 

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