The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Ga Traditional Council. The visit marks the beginning of a strategic push to strengthen collaboration between the Authority and traditional institutions in promoting cultural tourism.
During the meeting, Madam Houadjeto emphasized the need to preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, especially through iconic festivals like Homowo. She highlighted the vast potential of coastal tourism and expressed her vision to elevate the Homowo Festival to global recognition. As part of these efforts, she revealed ongoing preparations for Ghana’s participation in GhanaFest in Columbus, Ohio, later this year.
She reaffirmed the GTA’s commitment to partnering with traditional leaders and local stakeholders to spotlight Ghana’s cultural identity and enhance tourism-driven development.
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, welcomed the initiative and expressed his full support for transforming Accra into a prime cultural tourism destination. He noted that the capital city is home to numerous historical and cultural assets—including popular beaches and heritage sites like Usher Fort, James Fort, and the Monkey Sanctuary—which, if well maintained, can significantly boost tourism revenue.
He urged the GTA to prioritize the refurbishment of these sites and improve sanitation along the coast to attract more visitors. As part of ongoing collaboration, the Ga Mantse announced that office space would be made available within the Ga Mantse Palace for both the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism during the upcoming Homowo Festival.
This partnership underscores a renewed commitment to building strong ties between state institutions and traditional authorities in advancing cultural tourism in Ghana.
Story by RSM Kofi Doe Benjamin