Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, a tourism consultant, has urged President John Mahama to build on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s tourism legacies for sector growth.

He noted that while Mr. Akufo-Addo expressed strong interest in promoting tourism, execution faltered due to limited input from relevant agencies.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mr. Frimpong stressed the need for a review of previous initiatives and the appointment of competent, dedicated personnel to lead the sector.

“We are looking forward to President Mahama to appoint the right people, who have insight in the tourism and hospitality industry, are passionate, dedicated and not focused on satisfying their political ambitions.

“Experts from academia and industry who can contribute, irrespective of their political divide should be invited to help…If we do not select the right people, at the right places, then we will lose it.

“Appointing politically inclined people means their decisions would be influenced by their political orientation. There should be a way to get people who are levelheaded and who put Ghana first,” he said.

Mr. Frimpong urged the government to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as academia, in driving tourism growth.

He noted that globally, tourism was led by the private sector, which helped implement government policies and pushed the public sector to act.

He praised the ‘Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ initiatives as successful revenue-generating programmes and urged the government to continue and improve upon them.

Mr. Frimpong also urged the government to implement the E-Visa application system, allowing travelers to apply for visas electronically instead of physically visiting embassies or consulates.

He said that this would make the visa application process more convenient and efficient and encourage more international visitors to Ghana.

“This is convenient, time saving, increases efficiency and enhances security,” he said

Mr. Frimpong, also the Founding President of the Africa Tourism Research Network and Chief Executive Officer of Pishon Consult, said that the government should prioritize adopting a visa-free policy for select destinations.

He also called for the expedited implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan, which had been delayed for years.

The plan, he noted, was critical for outlining clear objectives, strategies, and initiatives to boost Ghana’s tourism sector.

“They must ensure the Plan is developed with the proper collaboration with stakeholders from the private sector, local communities, and government agencies,” he added.

Mr. Frimpong stressed the need for the government to upgrade and expand existing tourism infrastructure to attract more investors, especially in hotel construction and other essential facilities, to accommodate growing tourist numbers.

He also highlighted the importance of promoting eco-friendly and responsible tourism practices that minimize environmental impact while enhancing visitor experiences.

This would create authentic, memorable experiences and a compelling brand identity for Ghana’s tourism offerings, he said.

Mr. Frimpong indicated that industry players were eager to support the government’s initiatives, pledging that the private sector would actively engage with the government and development partners.

He said that the private sector would continue to offer recommendations, share ideas, and provide critical support to advance domestic and regional tourism.

“We will open our doors to government, offer our support, and engage in constructive criticism where necessary,” he assured.