Ghana's tourism industry has demonstrated significant growth in 2025, with tourism receipts reaching $4.34 billion from over 1.3 million international tourists. The sector also saw a notable increase in domestic tourism, with over 1.79 million visits recorded across 55 tourist sites nationwide. These figures reflect Ghana's growing appeal and rich cultural diversity. The data was disclosed by Johny Arthur Quarm, Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The 2nd annual Ahafo Regional Tourism Awards, held in Goaso, celebrated excellence in the tourism industry. The event was organized under the theme "Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders – The Blackstar Experience." During the ceremony, Mr. Quarm emphasized the need for tourism practitioners to adopt technology, invest in capacity building, and prioritize safety and customer care. He also urged industry stakeholders to protect Ghana's culture, heritage, and natural environment.
The Chief Director of the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC), Joseph Frimpong Naayo, reinforced the importance of environmental and cultural preservation. He stressed that as the region pursues tourism development, residents must safeguard key assets, including forests, rivers, wildlife, traditional festivals, historic places, and sacred sites. This call for preservation aligns with the sector's growth and ensures sustainable tourism practices.
The Ahafo Regional Director of the GTA, Alfred Asumadu, highlighted critical regulatory concerns within the region. He revealed that there is currently only one accredited travel and tour agency operating in the Ahafo Region. Mr. Asumadu urged residents and media outlets to be vigilant against unlicensed operators within the tourism and hospitality ecosystem. He advised the public to demand a valid Ghana Tourism Authority license before engaging the services of any tourism enterprise.
The annual awards scheme, chaired by Nana Afia Serwaa I, Manhemaa of the Goaso Traditional Area, seeks to recognize excellence and foster healthy competition among practitioners. The event celebrated key hospitality, entertainment, media, and service providers driving growth across the region. Notable winners included Zeniel Oasis Hotel, Lamore Restaurant and Bar, and Pizza Man Chicken Man, among others.
The awards ceremony also recognized media and digital contributions to the tourism industry. Clean Heart Entertainment and Ralph TV were honored for their coverage on social media and event organization. Additionally, JoyNews' Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi emerged as the Digital Tourism Icon of the Year 2026. Honorary awards were presented to the CEOs of Michael Adjei Group of Companies and the Odeefour Group of Companies for their outstanding contributions to regional industry development.
The recognition serves as a major morale booster for the award recipients, celebrating their dedication and inspiring them to advance the tourism and hospitality system across the Ahafo region. The event demonstrated the importance of collaboration and excellence in driving growth in Ghana's tourism sector. The awards scheme aims to elevate Ghana's destination image and promote sustainable tourism practices.
Key points
- Ghana's tourism sector recorded $4.34 billion in receipts from 1.3 million international tourists in 2025.
- The 2nd annual Ahafo Regional Tourism Awards celebrated excellence in the tourism industry and recognized key hospitality and media providers.
- Industry stakeholders were urged to prioritize environmental and cultural preservation, and adopt technology to consolidate the sector's gains.
