Ghana | Launched a Suite of Training and Women’s Empowerment Programmes to Professionalise the Tourism Sector

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF)  have jointly launched a suite of training  and Women’s empowerment programmes to professionalise the tourism sector aimed at raising service standards and empower women and youth in tourism sector.

Announced at a media briefing in a ceremony which took place on 9 April 2026 in the capital of the country, Accra  under the theme “Stronger Together for Tourism & Hospitality Growth” the initiative aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to Ghana’s GDP currently contributes 5.7%, with Ghanaian authorities targeting growth to 10% by 2030. 

The programmes include the National Professional Training and Certification program, targeting frontline workers across hospitality and tour operations, and the Uplifting Women in Tourism (UWIT) initiative, which focuses on improving access to finance, digital tools, clean energy and formal business recognition for women operating informal food establishments.  

A third initiative, the Graduate Tourism Employment and Mobility (GTEM) programme, will train and certify 200 graduates as professional tour guides and provides structured mobility support to enable deployment across hotels, tour companies, cultural sites and events.  

The Ghana Tourism Authority is also partnering with financial institutions to support clean energy adoption within tourism businesses, citing operational cost reduction as a key driver of sector competitiveness. 

Key Features and Programmes: 

•    Uplifting Women in Tourism (UWIT): This flagship initiative focuses on empowering over 100.000 women operatging “chop bars” (traditional restaurants), craft markets, culinary ventures and hospitality & tourism activities by providing access to finance, modern equipment, and training in leadership and entrepreneurship.
•    National Training and Certification Programme: Collaborating with HOTCATT (Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute), these initiatives will deliver technical skills training in guest relations, hospitality operations, and cultural guiding, particularly at key sites like Cape Coast and Kumasi. 
•    Graduate Tourism Employment and Mobility (GTEM) Programme: Aims to bridge the education – employment gap by creating 200 certified professional tour guide positions for young graduates, who will be deployed at tourism hotspots. 
•    Tourism Transport Standardization: A new initiative to regulate, improve safety standards, and sanitize the transportation sector for tourists. 
•    Sustainability and Digital Skills: Training programmes will integrate digital skills (online booking, marketing) and promote the adoption of clen energy solutions to reduce operational costs. 

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to transition from tourism momentum to long - term sustainability, focusing on quality assurance and creating a resilient, competitive sector.  

Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto underscored the need for cross - sector coordination, stating that no single institution could transform the sector alone, while Ghana Tourism Federation’s President Seth Ocran emphasised that certification must be “accessible, not just aspirational” for Ghana to build a globally competitive tourism industry. 

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/ghana-launches-training-and-women-s-empowerment-programmes-to-professionalise-tourism-sector.html