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Ghana
The gateway to west Africa. |
 ROLE OF THE GHANA TOURIST BOARD AS THE IMPLEMENTOR OF TOURISM POLICIES
In recent years, Government’s attention has been focused on developing the country’s Tourism Industry in view of its potential to be come the leading foreign exchange earner for the country by the year 2010.
As a result of the above, the role of the Board as the main government agency which does the implementation of Tourism Policies cannot be over emphasized.
It is in this view that the Board wishes to inform and adequate the public about the roles and functions of the Ghana Tourist Board and other related issues.
The Ghana Tourist Board, established under national Redemption Council Decree. 224 of 1973 (as amended by Supreme Military Council Decree 80 of 1977) was specifically tasked to facilitate the development and promotion of Ghana’s Tourism Control and ensure high standards in Tourism Receptive Facilities and carry out research activities on trends in the Tourism Industry.
Importantly, it was tasked to co-ordinate Tourism activities and advice the Ministry of Tourism on the formulation of policies.
With these functions, the Ghana Tourist Board has the power and authority to regulate the activities of all businesses in the travel, accommodation and catering sectors of the Country’s economy.
These businesses include Travel and Tour, Car rental, and Catering operations as well as Tour guiding. Others are Hotels (including Guest Houses, Inns, Camp sites etc) Restaurants, Chop Bars and Drinking Bars.
There are three (3) Legislative instruments administered by the Board and which regulate the activities of the businesses mentioned above. These are Legislative Instruments 1293, on Travel and Tours, 1050 on Charter Operations and 1205 on Hotels, Restaurants, Drinking Bars and Chop Bars.
It is worthy to note that these laws make it obligatory for any person or group of persons to first register and obtain the appropriate licenses from the Ghana Tourist Board before the commencement of operations of any of the said businesses. Thus one commits an offence under the laws if he/she operates any such businesses without a valid License from the Board.
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The Licensing role of the Board ensures that the appropriate standards and professionalism needed in the operation of all Tourism Receptive Facilities and Services are in place and maintained, this role to ensure standardization also places on the Board the responsibility to counsel and provide needed extension services to investors and operators. These include project design, frequent visits to provide advice and ensure compliance with set standards and regulations.
In the area of marketing Ghana, the publications of brochures on tourist attractions and facilities as well as the dissemination of necessary Tourist information both in Ghana and in the generating markets carried out by the Board. Consequently the participation in Tourism Fairs and Exhibitions in these markets is a major activity and preserve for the Board.
There is the need to emphasize that any matter which borders on the implementation of a tourism policy including the regulation and control of tourism economic activities are statutory responsibilities and functions of the Board and therefore any other Governmental agency, including Ministries, which may purport to carry on any such duties will be usurping the powers and authority of the Board. It is believed that until changes are made in the laws, the roles of the Board as spelt out in this advert may help to educate and inform the public on what the Ghana Tourist Board is supposed to be doing as against the functions of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ghana Tourist Development Company and any agency or institution which plays a complementary role in the promotion and development of the Tourism Industry.
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© World INvestment NEws, 1999.
This is the electronic edition of the special country report on Ghana published in Forbes Global Magazine.
March 20th 2000 Issue.
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GHANA
