The government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the Volta Region into Ghana’s next major tourism destination through strategic investments, improved infrastructure and stronger public-private partnerships.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, made the announcement during President John Dramani Mahama’s Citizens’ Engagement in Ho on Friday.
Volta Region identified as tourism priority
Madam Gomashie said the Volta Region was the first place she visited after assuming office, reflecting government’s determination to unlock its tourism potential.
She said she met with the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, before engaging all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to identify unique attractions within their districts.
“The responsibility of the assemblies is to identify what is unique and marketable in their districts, while the Ministry provides the technical expertise to package and promote those attractions both locally and internationally,” she said.
Road improvements to boost tourism
The Minister disclosed that President Mahama had directed her to work with the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, to improve roads leading to major tourist sites.
She expressed confidence that the second phase of the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme would improve access to attractions across the Volta Region.
Government courts private investors
Madam Gomashie said the Volta Region has enormous eco-tourism potential, highlighting the Adaklu Mountain Range and the Likpe-Todome area as ideal locations for adventure tourism activities such as paragliding.
She stressed that tourism development is largely driven by the private sector and urged investors to partner with government.
“We provide policy direction, but tourism is driven by private investment. We are inviting investors to work with us to develop these sites and unlock their full economic potential,” she said.
She added that government intends to develop the southern coastal belt of the Volta Region into a vibrant cultural and marine tourism destination through strategic public-private partnerships.
Key attractions identified
The Minister listed the Wli and Agumatsa Waterfalls, Avu Lagoon, Hedzranawo Slave Market, Keta, Kedzi, Galosota and other coastal communities among the region’s leading tourism assets.
She noted that while some attractions, including the Wli Waterfalls, are community-owned, government is working with traditional authorities and local communities to ensure tourism investments deliver shared economic benefits.
Digital platform launched
Madam Gomashie announced that the Ghana Tourism Development Company has launched a digital platform to promote tourism businesses and attractions across the country.
However, she expressed concern that many hotels, restaurants and tour operators have yet to register, limiting government’s ability to market them internationally.
“If you own a hotel, restaurant or tourism facility and you are not on the platform, it becomes difficult for us to promote your business to the rest of the world,” she said.
She also praised residents of Keta for maintaining clean beaches, saying environmental cleanliness is essential if Ghana is to compete with leading global beach destinations such as Seychelles.
Investment drive continues
The Minister disclosed that government is promoting investment under the Marine Drive Project and has engaged the Agbogbomefia of Asogli to help attract investors, particularly from China.
She said the Ministry has litigation-free land available for tourism projects and is ready to partner private investors through Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and other Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
Madam Gomashie expressed optimism that increased investment and improved infrastructure would drive significant growth in tourism, culture and the creative arts from 2027 onward.
