Accra, Ghana – Member of Parliament Dr. Fred Kyei has called on the government to prioritize investment in Ghana’s tourism sector, arguing that inadequate funding and the failure to release approved budget allocations are hindering the industry’s potential to create jobs and drive economic growth.
Contributing to a statement in Parliament on tourism development, particularly on the need to develop waterfalls in the North Tongu Constituency, Dr. Kyei commended the Member who raised the issue and expressed concern over the state of funding for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
According to him, a review of the ministry’s budget allocations for 2025 and 2026, compared with the actual funds released, explains why many tourism projects have stalled.
“If you look at the budget allocated to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts in 2025 and 2026, and how much has actually been released to them, it is no wonder the Honourable Member is concerned,” he said.
Dr. Kyei stressed that tourism remains one of Ghana’s most promising sectors for job creation and economic transformation, noting that the country’s growing service sector demonstrates the importance of investing in tourism.
He urged government to place greater value on Ghana’s cultural heritage and natural attractions, describing them as priceless assets passed down by previous generations.
Drawing comparisons with Rwanda, he said the East African country has invested heavily in tourism and is reaping significant economic benefits, particularly through employment opportunities for young people.
“The question I keep asking myself is: why aren’t we doing the same?” he asked.
The legislator also referenced Ghana’s successful Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives, saying they demonstrated the enormous potential of the tourism sector. However, he lamented that the momentum created by those initiatives has not been sustained.
“It is unfortunate that we are not putting our money where our mouth is. The return on investment from tourism is high, yet the amount allocated in the budget is not even being released to the Ministry,” he stated.
Dr. Kyei further recalled the 2018 Ghana Tourism Development Project, financed by the World Bank, which sought to improve the tourism ecosystem through industry training, branding and marketing.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating state of many tourist attractions across the country, citing the Kumasi Cultural Centre, museums, forts and other heritage sites as examples of facilities in urgent need of rehabilitation.
According to him, the neglect of these sites reflects the broader lack of investment in the sector and has also affected natural attractions, including waterfalls in North Tongu.
Dr. Kyei therefore called on Parliament to push for increased funding and ensure that approved budget allocations are fully released to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to unlock the sector’s economic potential.
Story: Dennis Awuni | Our Democracy News (DNS NEWS GH)
