By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
Thirty-three players in the tourism sector, made up of 27 competitive and four honourary individuals and entities, have been honoured at the Upper West Region’s tourism awards night in Wa.
The focus of the event, which was “Celebrating Innovation and Recognising Excellence in Ghana’s Tourism Sector,” emphasised that Ghana’s tourism industry’s growth and success depend on our ability to innovate, adapt, and strive for excellence.
The Upper West Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority, Moses Ndewin Ndebugri, indicated that the awards committee made use of a rigorous criterion and a checklist in the assessment and selection of award winners.
He stated that it is the desire of GTA to use the initiative to promote excellence, innovation, and quality among players to be able to compete on the international market.
Mr Ndebugri said award winners in the Upper West will further be assessed against regional winners across the country for the best in all categories for the National Awards in Accra in November 2024 and encouraged all industry players to continue to improve on their facilities and services.
The Director of Finance of GTA, Lawrence Agbo, who represented the CEO of GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, said the awards remind us that tourism is a multistakeholder enterprise requiring the full commitment of all stakeholders to ensure a truly vibrant tourism destination.
He acknowledged the unwavering dedication and the tireless efforts that have made our industry thrive.
“We recognise the pioneers, the trailblazers, and the game-changers who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in tourism. We celebrate the achievements of our industry players, and we inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”
“I therefore encourage you all to patronise our local tourist attractions, support our local businesses, and experience the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that Ghana has to offer. Let us work together to promote tourism development and create opportunities for economic growth and job creation,” Mr. Agbo stated.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, underscored innovation in the tourism sector to measure up global trends whilst preserving our unique identity.
Mr Yakubu: “As the tourism industry continues to evolve, it is imperative that we embrace new ideas with cutting edge technologies and sustainable practices to maintain our competitive edge and ensure a long-term viability of this critical sector.
Innovation in tourism sector is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity whether through the use of digital platforms to enhance marketing strategies or the introduction of eco-friendly initiatives to preserve our cultural heritage and natural assets.”
Radio Progress, the first radio station established in the Upper West Region in 1997 by the Catholic Mission, won the Tourism Oriented Media of the Year 2024 award.
