Formed 1993 Headquarters Ghana Website Official Website | Jurisdiction Republic of Ghana Minister responsible Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare | |
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The Ministry of Tourism of Ghana is the government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism-related activities in the country.
Contents
History
The ministry was created in 1993 to promote, develop and coordinate tourism related activities in the country. In 2003, under the John Kufuor administration the ministry's name was changed to the Ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital city. This was due to the expansion of the ministry's portfolio to include the development of Accra into a modern international capital city. The ministry had another name in change to the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations. In 2009, the John Atta Mills administration reverted the name of the ministry back to the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry has thus had four name changes since its creation.
Functions of the Ministry
The ministry functions to develop and promote tourism and improve the capital city, Accra. These functions are aimed at optimising the socio-economic growth of the country through tourism-related activities and the promotion of environmental impact for the benefit of deprived communities with tourist sites in the country.
Minister of Tourism
The ministry is headed by the Minister of Tourism. The president appoints the sector minister, who is then presented to Parliament for approval. The ministry has had a change of name to Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in 2013.
Tourism statistics
In 2011, 1,087,000 tourists visited Ghana.
Tourist arrivals to Ghana include South Americans, Asians, Europeans. Ghana's all year round tropical warm climate along with its many wildlifes; exotic waterfalls such as Kintampo Waterfalls and the largest waterfall in west Africa, Tagbo Falls; Ghana's coastal palm-lined sandy beaches; caves; mountains, rivers; meteorite impact crater and reservoirs and lakes such as Lake Bosumtwi or Bosumtwi meteorite crater and the largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Volta; dozens of castles and forts; UNESCO World Heritage Sites; nature reserves and national parks are major tourist destinations in Ghana.
The World Economic Forum statistics in 2010 showed that Ghana was 108th out of 139 countries as world's favourite tourism destinations. The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011, Forbes magazine, published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travelers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey Ghana ranked highest. Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.