Ghana has been elected to serve on the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the 21st session of the General Assembly of the UNWTO held in Medellin, Colombia.

The Executive Council is the UNWTO’s highest decision making body and responsible for ensuring that the organisation carries out its mandate.

The General Assembly is the supreme organ for the UNWTO. Its ordinary sessions are held every two years and attended by delegates from UNWTO‘s Full and Associate Members.

It is considered the most important global meeting of Tourism Ministers, senior tourism officials, and high level representatives from the private sector.

Ghana’s election was in recognition of its efficient hosting of the Brand Africa conference in Accra in August this year, and its special role in the affairs of the international tourism body.

The election was also to underscore the Government's commitment towards the development of tourism, culture and creative arts in the country.

Commenting on Ghana’s election, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who led Ghana’s delegation to the global tourism conference in Colombia, said the election puts Ghana on the spotlight in global tourism.

She praised His Excellency President Mahama for his commitment to the promotion, marketing and development of tourism in Ghana.

She revealed that Ghana’s image on the international tourism scene was soaring and more needed to be done to maximise the benefits in terms of arrivals and revenue.

She alluded to the fact that Ghana’s election was in recognition of the Ministry’s prudent and efficient policy interventions in using tourism as a tool for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.