The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) have organized the maiden edition of the Ghana Tourism Investment Forum (GTIF) at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel under the theme “Promoting and Enhancing Tourism Investment in Ghana”.

The aim of the forum was to drive investor interest in the tourism sector as well as educate investors about Ghana’s Tourism plans and projects.

The forum served as a platform to exhibit bankable projects and also as avenue for dialogue between the investment community and the public sector.

The function which was chaired by Neenyi Ghartey VII, Omanhen of the Effutu Traditional Area had the Hon. Minister for Business Development, Mr. Ibrahim Awal as the Guest of Honour.

Speakers included the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yofi Grant; Mr. Kwadwo Antwi, the CEO of Ghana Tourism Development Company; and Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority. The keynote address was delivered by the Hon. Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ziblim Iddi Bari on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Catherine Abelema Afeku.

Speakers at the panel discuss included Mr. Emmanuel Adu Sarkodie, Group CEO of GDH Group; Mr. Samuel Thompson CEO of African World Airline; Mr. John Maison, Board Chairman of Zaina Lodge and Mr. Pierre Cabrit, O.M. of Simbabet; and Mr. John Awuah, CEO of UMB.

In her concluding remarks, the Hon. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Catherine Abelema Afeku said the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ghana Tourism Development Company will create a one-stop shop for potential investors. She also appealed to the financial institutions to come up with modalities to help potential investors to write good investment proposals.