Ghana’s tourism ambitions took centre stage in May 2025, as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, represented Ghana at the 9th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE 2025) Ministerial Panel in Munyonyo, Uganda.
The high-level panel was held under the theme “Enhancing Regional Tourism Marketing through Strategic Partnerships.”
The event brought together tourism ministers and key stakeholders across Africa to deliberate on collaborative efforts to boost regional tourism and connectivity.
Speaking on behalf of Ghana, Mr. Jajah highlighted the country’s rich tourism potential, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage, eco-tourism, and creative arts as key drivers of economic growth. He also addressed the sector’s challenges, such as infrastructure deficits and funding limitations, while outlining the government’s strategic roadmap to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
“Tourism remains a vital sector for Ghana’s socio-economic development. We are committed to forging partnerships that will unlock the full potential of our cultural and creative resources,” Hon. Jajah noted.
The panel also included tourism ministers from Uganda, Kenya, and other African nations. A central focus of their discussions was the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative. The ministers expressed a shared commitment to implementing SAATM, a continental policy aimed at liberalizing the aviation industry across Africa.
By deregulating air services and promoting transnational competition, SAATM seeks to create a unified air transport market that will significantly boost intra-African connectivity, tourism, and trade.
The collaborative spirit at POATE 2025 underscored a renewed sense of urgency among African nations to harness strategic partnerships in promoting the continent as a premier tourism destination.
Source: Public Relations Unit