The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has initiated high-level engagements with the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) as part of decisive steps to clamp down on illegal travel and tour operations across the country.
This action follows a surge in complaints from sections of the general public regarding the activities of some unscrupulous operators who are allegedly exploiting unsuspecting citizens.
The engagement has become even more urgent as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 gathers momentum, with reports indicating that certain operators are taking advantage of the global event to fraudulently secure visas and travel packages under the guise of World Cup participation.
Concerned about the alarming rate of such practices and the potential reputational damage to Ghanaโs tourism sector, the Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto, initiated the meeting to ensure swift inter-agency collaboration and enforcement.
The meeting was attended on her behalf by the Deputy CEO in charge of Operations, Ekow Sampson, together with senior management of the Authority.
Speaking on behalf of the CEO, Mr. Sampson underscored the disturbing volume of complaints received and stressed the Authorityโs commitment to sanitising the travel and tours space. He emphasised that as Ghana positions itself strategically within the global tourism ecosystem, particularly ahead of major international events, it is critical to protect the public from exploitation and preserve the integrity of the industry.
Responding on behalf of EOCO, the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Operations, Mr. Ndego, commended the proactive initiative by GTA and described the collaboration as timely and necessary.
He pledged EOCOโs full support in investigating and clamping down on illegal operators whose activities undermine public trust and expose citizens to financial and travel-related risks.
Both institutions expressed satisfaction with the strengthened partnership and reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding the public, enforcing compliance within the tourism sector, and ensuring that Ghanaโs travel ecosystem remains credible, transparent, and globally competitive.
The collaboration sends a clear signal: regulatory oversight is tightening, enforcement is coordinated, and illegal operators will be held accountable.
