- Hoteliers push for fairer access to Ghana’s 1% tourism fund
Ghana’s hotel industry is pressing for broader and more transparent access to the 1 per cent Tourism Development Fund, arguing that the levy should do more to support the businesses that sit at the heart of the country’s tourism value chain.
At the swearing-in of the new national executives of the Ghana Hotels Association in Accra, the association’s immediate past president, Dr Edward Ackah Nyamike Jnr, urged the new leadership to continue pushing for what he described as a more inclusive disbursement of the fund. He said the proper use of the levy would be critical in helping industry players recover from recent economic pressures while laying the basis for longer-term growth.
The fund, managed by the Ghana Tourism Authority, is intended to support tourism development initiatives and broader programmes aimed at strengthening the hospitality and tourism value chain. But hoteliers are concerned that the fund alone is not enough; what matters is whether those who contribute to the sector can also see practical benefits.
“Continue the advocacy for a more transparent and inclusive disbursement of the 1% Tourism Development Fund,” Dr Nyamike said, while also calling for mandatory membership of all hotels in hotel associations.
That demand reflects a deeper frustration in the hospitality industry. Hotels are often among the most visible participants in tourism development, yet many operators, especially smaller and mid-sized establishments, continue to struggle with financing, refurbishment costs and the pressure to maintain service standards in a difficult economic climate. In that context, access to a fund built from sector activity becomes more than an administrative issue; it becomes a test of whether tourism policy is actually reaching the businesses expected to deliver the visitor experience.
Dr. Nyamike also renewed calls for the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership Forum under the Tourism Act 817, which requires the sector minister, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and private sector players to hold quarterly meetings to address challenges in the industry.
The message from the new association leadership was equally telling. Newly elected president Victor Opoku Minta said the association plans to establish a credit union to support member hotels and their staff financially, a move that underlines how difficult access to affordable financing remains for operators in the sector.
“This year we will launch the National GHA Credit Union to financially empower our member hotels and staff and to support the growth of our businesses,” he said. According to him, the proposed credit union would provide relatively cheaper loans to help hotels renovate their facilities, expand operations and improve service quality.
