77,500 Ghanaians Cross Borders for Same-Day Trips in 2023; GSS Urges Policies to Curb Lost Spending
Ghana recorded a total of 77,501 outbound same-day visitors in 2023, according to the latest Outbound Same-Day Visitors’ Report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The majority of these travellers were aged between 25 and 44 years, self-employed, and undertook business or shopping-related trips, primarily to Togo (74%) and Côte d’Ivoire (17%).
The report highlights that the Ashanti Region accounted for the largest share of same-day travellers, with total spending by these visitors estimated at GHS 59.8 million, largely on shopping and transport. Nearly all trips were self-arranged, underscoring the heavy reliance of such cross-border movements on informal networks and personal mobility.
Commenting on the findings, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, noted that outbound same-day travel is not merely a leisure pursuit but a significant driver of informal cross-border trade and income generation. However, the agency cautioned that it also represents a leakage of domestic economic value, as spending that could support local enterprises and transport services instead benefits neighbouring economies.
“Every cedi spent on the other side of a border could instead support a local enterprise, market, or transport service if the domestic ecosystem matched the convenience and incentives of cross-border options,” the report stated.
The GSS identified five strategic policy priorities for government and investors to address the trend and enhance domestic economic retention:
Develop regional business and cultural hubs to host trade fairs, exhibitions, and events that currently draw Ghanaians abroad.
Diversify tourism offerings and improve infrastructure in less-visited regions to promote balanced regional development.
Transform border towns into “gateway destinations” with attractive markets, rest stops, and transport facilities that encourage spending within Ghana.
Create integrated domestic travel packages combining conferences, retail, and leisure to appeal to same-day business and shopping travellers.
Leverage digital tools such as booking platforms, loyalty schemes, and mobile payments to simplify and incentivise local day travel.
The Outbound Same-Day Visitors’ Report forms part of the Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS) launched by the GSS to provide credible, nationally representative data on how Ghanaians and foreign visitors move, spend, and interact with the economy.
The Service emphasized that the insights from the DOTS will serve as a critical input for tourism development planning, investment decisions, and cross-border trade policy, as Ghana seeks to strengthen the local economy through data-driven interventions.
