The Managing Director of Kacstone Records, Wenawome Duriyem Aborah, has called for deliberate investment in tourism and cultural activities in Ghana's Upper East Region. He believes this can create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people. Aborah's comments come as he returns from a tourism industry engagement in Lesotho, where he observed efforts to position tourism as a source of employment and economic growth.
Aborah, who is also Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement, argues that the region's tourism attractions, festivals, and cultural heritage can support businesses in hospitality, transportation, food services, entertainment, and handicrafts if developed into a structured industry. He notes that tourism is a basket of employment that gives a value chain, extending beyond the operators of tourist attractions to businesses and individuals providing services to visitors.
According to Aborah, developing the tourism sector can create opportunities for young people struggling to secure formal employment, particularly in communities with established tourism attractions. He observed that Lesotho's experience demonstrates the importance of deliberately developing the skills of people living around tourist destinations and supporting them to take advantage of business opportunities.
Aborah believes Ghana, particularly the Upper East Region, can adopt similar approaches by providing training and other forms of support to people interested in operating tourism-related businesses. This can include training in hospitality, customer service, entertainment, handicrafts, and other tourism-related activities, helping communities derive greater economic benefits from their cultural and natural resources.
Aborah also calls for stronger collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, private investors, and local communities to develop the sector. He argues that government alone cannot provide employment for everyone and that private investment and community participation will be essential to expanding opportunities in tourism.
To develop the sector, Aborah urges stakeholders to create activities and events around the Upper East Region's distinctive landscapes, cultural traditions, and seasonal attractions. This can encourage more visits and create business opportunities, turning tourism destinations into economic assets that support livelihoods throughout the year rather than places visitors merely tour before leaving.
Aborah's call for action highlights the potential for Ghana's Upper East Region to leverage its cultural heritage and tourism attractions to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people. His suggestions emphasize the need for a collaborative approach to develop the sector and provide training and support to people interested in operating tourism-related businesses.
Key points
- The Upper East Region's tourism attractions and cultural heritage can support businesses in hospitality, transportation, and entertainment if developed into a structured industry.
- Developing the tourism sector can create opportunities for young people struggling to secure formal employment in communities with established tourism attractions.
- Stronger collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, private investors, and local communities is necessary to develop the tourism sector.
