Tourism is a major sector that is often identified by many developing. Ghanas tourism resources ghana is a centrally placed west african country with an estimated population of about 16. Click here to instantly access all the reports, in one place. The ghana national museum, in accra, founded by the university college of ghana and now operated by the museum and monuments board, contains hundreds of exhibits illustrating the culture, history, and arts and crafts of ghana and west africa.
Moreover, the wttc also reports that international tourism represents more than 5% of ghanas total employment, and 4. Covering 500 years of ghana s history, the ghana reader provides a multitude of historical, political, and cultural perspectives on this iconic african nation. Moreover, the wttc also reports that international tourism represents more than 5% of ghana s total employment, and 4. The empire became known in europe and arabia as the ghana empire after the title of its emperor, the ghana. Despite ghana s vast tourism resources, tourism has been unable to play a catalyst role in the countrys development process. Oct 14, 2019 ghana s economic outlook may be mixed, but analysts remain hopeful, pointing to the stability and strength of ghana s democracy and society. Republic of ghana in africa, ghana ranks 24th by size out of 54 countries, 14th by population and th by population density.
There is growing demand for various types of health services for visitors notable among which are. Pdf historical trajectories of tourism development policies and. Ghana is a member of ecowas, the african union, the commonwealth, and the world trade organization. Tourism in ghana article pdf available in american anthropologist 982. Ambitious plans are afoot to increase visitor numbers fivefold by 2027, capitalising on the countrys natural beauty, cultural heritage, hospitality, and safety and security. Upon the shield there are beads with the national colors red, green, and gold, which the flag of ghana also bears.
The world economic forum statistics in 2010 showed that ghana was 108th out of 9 countries as the worlds favourite tourism destinations. It offers excellent walking tours a canopy walkway. This former british colony of 92,000 square miles about 238,000 square kilometers shares boundaries with three frenchspeaking nations. Also in accra is the labyrinth of traders at the makola market, affording a memorable experience for bargain hunters. List of books and articles about ghana history online. See accor celebrates 25 years of the hospitality industrys largest corporate. As elsewhere in africa, the climate of ghana varied during the pleistocene epoch about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago. With greater precipitation, the forest spread northward and humans retreated toward the sahara. In 1957, when the leaders of the former british colony of the gold coast sought an appropriate name for their newly independent statethe first black african nation to gain its independence from colonial rulethey named their new country after ancient ghana. You could sight rare butterflies and birds as well as game like the extraordinary bongo and forest elephant. History of ghana gold coast british colony, history of ghana 19661979, elmina castle, ghana empire, ashanti empire, angloashanti. The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. The number of annual international visitors to ghana is now roughly 950,000.
Ghana 1st time online late december 2000, and updated since 2001. By the th century several kingdoms had developed, growing rich from the countrys massive gold deposits and gradually expanding south along the volta river to the coast. The ghana tourism authority was established under the tourism act, 2011 act 817 as the main implementing body of the ministry of tourism. Tourism is currently the fourth largest source of foreign exchange earnings estimated at us2. Outlined solutions to address ghanas many problems in tourism. Tourist arrivals to ghana include south americans, europeans. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in accra, ghana on tripadvisor. Celebrated black history month to educate visitors tourists on the legacy of dr. News ghana is ghanas leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. There is a growing demand for the rental of catering, camping, picnic accessories as well as mobile telephone and toilets in ghana, all in the service of travelers, event organizers etc.
Jun 30, 2016 20160630 according to the recently released hospitality report for ghana, tourism contributed 7. This was in reaction to a host of environmental problems that had arisen. Country paper ghana environmental statistics in perspective background in march 1988 the government of ghana initiated a major effort to put environmental issues on the priority agenda through preparation of the national environmental action plan neap. In 2011, forbes magazine, published that ghana was ranked the eleventhmost friendly country in the world. This failure of ghana tourism is not attributable to foreign ownership. Immediately upon arrival, register with your embassy or consulate.
The world economic forum statistics in 2010 showed that ghana was 108th out of 9 countries as worlds favourite tourism destinations. Whether discussing the asante kingdom and the gold coasts importance to european commerce and transatlantic slaving, ghanas brief period under british colonial rule, or the emergence of its modern democracy, the volumes eighty. Data on ghana introduction in addition to the data below, the links at the bottom of this page will provide you with more information. Over the next 12 years ghana aims to move from an offthebeatentrack locale to a major player in african tourism. Published by the north american womens association, this guide both paper and electronic is more targeted at people moving to rather than travelling to ghana. Tourists found the park impressive in terms of its variety in wildlife and services rendered therein. This popular national eco tourism park comprises 357 km 2 area of virgin rainforest. Ghana succumbed to attacks by its neighbors in the 11th century, but its name and reputation endured.
Ghana, formerly known as the gold coast, was the first african country to the south of the sahara to gain political independence from colonial rule in 1957. It replaced the ghana tourist board which was established by nrcd 224 in 1973 as amended by smcd 80 of 1977. Although relatively small in area and population, ghana is one of the leading countries of africa and is celebrated for its rich history. History of ghana 19661979 elmina castle ghana empire ashanti empire angloashanti wars john kufuor osei kofi tutu i kofi abrefa busia ignatius kutu acheampong history of ghana page 1 14 20 25 31 45 49 54 57 60. This popular national ecotourism park comprises 357 km 2 area of virgin rainforest. As ghanas largest national park, mole is the top safari destination for visiting wildlife lovers. The african ejournals project has digitized full text of. Harnessing tourism for growth and improved livelihoods 5 ssa tourism sectors must maintain competitiveness through. Underscored by the united states congress recently passed act, h. Forts and castles, volta, greater accra, central and western regions. A reduced kingdom continued to exist after almoravid rule ended, and the kingdom was later. The quality of their tourism assets high standards in visitor accommodation ef. In namibia, a history of underinvestment in education and of poor educational achieve.
The first ever accra tourist information centeratic has been completed. Tourism in ghana is regulated by the ministry of tourism of ghana, the government of ghana. History of tourism development the first major step in the formal development of tourism in ghana was an evaluation of the countrys tourism resources in 1970, years after independence in 1957 obuarn committee, 1972. Presentday ghana has been inhabited since 4000 bc, filled by successive waves of migrants from the north and east. Tourism awareness among community members was found to be high. Tourist satisfaction with hotel services in cape coast and. Ghanas all year round tropical warm climate along with its wildlife. The 15 best things to do in accra 2020 with photos.
Land and people modern ghana comprises the former british colony of the gold coast and the former mandated territory of british togoland. Ministry of tourism, culture and creative arts wikipedia. Tourism in africa world bank documents world bank group. Highest rated places of interest or tour operators on tripadvisor, promoting those where there is at least one tour or activity available to book on tripadvisor. The empire appears to have broken up following the 1076 conquest by the almoravid general abubakr ibnumar. Tourists perceptions of heritage tourism development in. It was discovered that the park has a high tourism potential which can be harnessed to attract both domestic and international tourists and bring socioeconomic benefits to ghana.
The third part of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the wealth of ghana. The west african historical museum at cape coast, sponsored by the museum and monuments board and the. Ghanas tourism industry development indicators have increased over the years. The history of conducting a case study goes back to the beginning of the 20th century and. The tourism industry in 2015 employed an estimated 393,000 people directly and indirectly from hotels, restaurants, travel trade, entertainment, recreational, tourist. In 2011, forbes magazine, published that ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. Ghana tourist information and tourism world guides. To enter ghana, it is necessary to have a visa authorized by the government of ghana, except for certain business incubators and business magnates who are on business trip. According to the world travel and tourism council, tourism is vitally important to ghana, representing 6. Other articles where history of ghana is discussed. Ministry of tourism, arts and culture ministry of finance ghana. As more and more areas are of the world are developed for. Looking inwards to the history of tourism in nigeria one could site lagos one of the populous cities of africa and is ranked at the seventh number amongst the list of the fastest most growing cities of the world as the genesis of tourism in nigeria.
Sep 29, 2015 ghanas tourism industry development indicators have increased over the years. Solutions to challenges facing the tourism industry in ghana. The tourism industry has contributed significantly to ghanas economy, particularly in. Top sights in accra, the beaches do tend to draw the biggest crowds, and understandably so, with both the bojo and labadi beach resorts being frequented by tourists and local africans alike. Tourism in ghana tourism is a key economic driver in ghana which generates foreign exchange earnings, creates jobs and wealth as well as stimulates other sectors of the economy.
Despite ghanas vast tourism resources, tourism has been unable to play a catalyst role in the countrys development process. Download all the latest market reports you need on the tourism industry in ghana. The ghana tourism authority has an office in accra, and the brand new accra tourist information centre looks like a good bet. If youre lucky, you may spot one of the parks recently reintroduced lions, while the birdlife here is also fantastic. As ghana s largest national park, mole is the top safari destination for visiting wildlife lovers. Looking inwards to the history of tourism in nigeria one could site lagos one of the populous cities of africa and is ranked at the seventh number amongst the list of the fastest most growing cities of the world as the genesis of tourism in. The assertion was based on a survey in 2010 of a crosssection of travelers.
Ghanas economic outlook may be mixed, but analysts remain hopeful, pointing to the stability and strength of ghanas democracy and society. The fourth and last field on the lower right shows a gold mine, which stands for the richness of natural resources in ghana. Nigerian tourism dwells in joy and entertainment for every class. The republic of ghana is named after the medieval west african ghana empire. For news about ghana, see accraexpats how to guide page how to keep posted with ghana news official name. Ghana continues to experience rapid urbanisation, which has led. Lisa from canada shared her story on the scrap tourism visas for ghana fb page. Covering 500 years of ghanas history, the ghana reader provides a multitude of historical, political, and cultural perspectives on this iconic african nation. In the year 1999, the number of hotels increased from 273 in 1989 to 767 in 1999.
The number of annual international visitors to ghana is now roughly 950,000 and is expected to grow to 1. As a rule, tourist information is pretty useless in ghana, with staff working in tourist offices having little understanding of what travellers need. Ghana s tourism industry development indicators have increased over the years. The development potentials of ghanas cape coast as a destination number of pages 52 p supervisor ritalahti jarmo and eva holmberg the tourism industry has contributed significantly to ghanas economy, particularly in recent times, as the sector continues to demonstrate its potential as a key driver of growth.
It is home to elephant, buffalo, leopard and the rare roan antelope. Ghana, officially republic of ghana, republic 2015 est. The ghana tourism federation ghatof is the umbrella association. Ghana, country of western africa, situated on the coast of the gulf of guinea. Tourism in ghana is regulated by the ministry of tourism of ghana, the government of ghana ministry is responsible for the development and promotion of tourism related activities in ghana. The tourism sector of ghana has been doing well because of the improvement in the number of hotel facilities since 1989 as shown in figure 3. Ghana, tourism history, local economic development, poverty r eduction.
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