Sunday, 23 August 2026

Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 23 August 2026

Accra—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Ghanaian press · Organization

Ghana Tourism Authority

Also known as: GTA · the Ghana Tourism Authority

Ghana Tourism Authority — government agency that licenses hospitality facilities, enforces tourism regulations, and promotes Ghana's tourism industry and cultural heritage.

2026-04-242026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

July 2026
9 JulJoy Online
… ey stakeholders, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Trade, Agribusiness and Industry; Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts; and Sports and Recreation, as well as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Tourism Authority …
Ghana House Coordination Committee outlines roadmap to maximise opportunities at Glasgow 2026
9 JulJoy Online
… nd partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority …
Ghana House reflects government’s economic diplomacy agenda ahead of Commonwealth Games – CGA President
9 JulJoy Online
… Madam Gomashie made the call on Tuesday in Accra during the swearing-in of the Chairperson of the Governing Board of Ghana Tourism Authority, Ms. …
Use scarce resources prudently to sustain public institutions – Tourism Minister urges boards
8 JulThe Ghanaian Times
The Ghana Tourism Authority has expressed deep sorrow following the passing of Sharon Dede Padi, popularly known as “Padiki,” describing her as one of Ghana’s brightest ambassadors of resilience and creativity. …
GTA pays tribute to late Guinness World Record holder, Dede Padiki
8 JulJoy Online
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has expressed profound sorrow over the death of celebrated visual artist and Guinness World Record holder Sharon Dede Padi, popularly known as Padiki. …
Ghana Tourism Authority mourns Guinness World Record holder Padiki
7 JulJoy Online
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has engaged hoteliers, event planners and other tourism stakeholders in Tema on the introduction of the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS) and proposed tourism regulations aimed at strengthening the hospitality and events industry. …
GTA engages Tema stakeholders on new draft regulations, GTIS, tourism levy
6 JulJoy Online
… According to the Ghana Tourism Authority’s 2025 Tourism Report, the country recorded 1,306,962 international tourist arrivals last year, a 1.4 percent rise on the 1,288,804 arrivals in 2024. …
Ghana’s accommodation mix is shifting and Airbnb-style stays are quietly winning ground
6 JulJoy Online
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is preparing to launch a major beach clean-up campaign across selected beaches in Accra and nearby coastal communities, as its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, calls for a national response to poor waste disposal and growing env …
GTA to launch “Blue Ghana Initiative” beach clean-up campaign after Accra floods
6 JulJoy Online
… The Organising Committee also confirmed the anticipated participation of several senior Ghanaian officials, including John Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, alongside other governmen …
James Gyakye Quayson to serve as Special Guest of Honour at Ghana–Australia Trade and Investment Forum 2026
5 JulJoy Online
Under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is set to roll out a major Clean the Beach Campaign across selected beaches in Accra and surrounding coastal communities. …
Ghana Tourism Authority to launch ‘clean the beach’ campaign

Tourism & Environment

Minister pledges TanoBoase Sacred Grove commissioning before end of 2026

The News

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has assured residents of Techiman North District that the TanoBoase Sacred Grove, a significant spiritual and ecological site located around an inselberg in central Ghana, will be commissioned and opened to the public before the close of 2026. The grove, which features caves believed to have sheltered the original inhabitants and the Bono people, has remained forested under traditional protection and is regarded as the spiritual home and cultural legacy site of the Bono.

21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 21 August

Minister pledges TanoBoase Sacred Grove commissioning before end of 2026
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has assured residents of Techiman North District that the TanoBoase Sacred Grove, a significant spiritual and ecological site located around an inselberg in central Ghana, will be commissioned and opened to the public before the close of 2026. The grove, which features caves believed to have sheltered the original inhabitants and the Bono people, has remained forested under traditional protection and is regarded as the spiritual home and cultural legacy site of the Bono.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana Tourism Authority partners on children's tourism book publication
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority has partnered with Adwinsa Publications Ghana Ltd and the Ghana Library Authority to publish a children's tourism book called AMA GHANA, which will be unveiled at the 2026 Ghana International Book Fair.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 20 August

Ghana Investment Promotion Authority announces inaugural Invest Ghana Summit
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) has invited investors and business leaders to participate in a maiden Invest Ghana Summit later this year, designed to showcase Ghana's investment potential, facilitate strategic partnerships, and promote sustainable economic growth across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, technology, tourism, real estate, and infrastructure.
20 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 19 August

BHIM Festival London showcases Ghana's cultural diplomacy and soft power
An analysis of Stonebwoy's BHIM Festival London at OVO Arena Wembley argues that beyond the musical performance, the event demonstrates how Ghana's culture can be projected internationally through artists, creative entrepreneurs, and festivals rather than through government channels alone, with visual elements like the Independence Arch-inspired staging conveying national identity to audiences.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →
GTA licence does not exempt hostels from rent laws
The Acting Rent Commissioner has warned private hostel operators that Ghana Tourism Authority licences do not exempt them from rent regulation. He stated that the Rent Control Department has jurisdiction to assess all rents in the country, including hostel facilities, and urged operators to apply for rent assessment rather than unilaterally setting charges.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Rent Control assesses 100 student complaints on hostel fees
Ghana's Rent Control Department has received about 100 applications from students over private hostel charges and plans to assess the fees within two to three months before schools reopen. The Acting Rent Commissioner said rent control officers across the country will determine applicable charges under the law, rejecting hostel operators' arguments that fees reflect their investments and market conditions.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 18 August

KNUST hostel operators oppose rent controls, citing shortage risk
Private student hostel operators at KNUST have criticized the Rent Control Department's attempt to enforce price caps on accommodation, warning that price controls could create artificial shortages. The KNUST Hostel Owners Association argues that hostels operate under tourism licensing laws, not standard tenancy laws, and are already subject to annual oversight by multiple regulators.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →
GIPA secures investor leads at Atlanta Invest Fest 2026
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority secured investor leads and expressions of interest in real estate, tourism, and other sectors at Invest Fest 2026 in Atlanta. The engagements generated discussions on potential business partnerships and commercial opportunities, with follow-up discussions expected.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 17 August

Hostel Owners Association challenges Rent Commissioner's legal authority
The Hostel Owners Association of Ghana is contesting the legal basis of the Rent Control Department's enforcement campaign against private student hostels, arguing that purpose-built student hostels fall outside the scope of the Rent Act 1963 and Rent Control Law 1986 because they provide accommodation with services such as security, cleaning, and management.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
GTA closes four hospitality facilities over regulatory breaches
The Ghana Tourism Authority temporarily shut down four hospitality establishments in the Central Region—Elmina Beach Resort in Elmina and Savoy Hotel, Veke Executive Lodge, and Wiz Homes in Cape Coast—for breaching tourism regulations including operating without licences, non-payment of tourism levies, and providing substandard services. The closures are part of an enforcement exercise ahead of the Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebrations in September.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 16 August

Ghana leads global push for slavery reparations at UN
Ghana tabled a UN resolution recognising slavery as "the greatest crime against humanity" and hosted a June summit in Accra with delegates from around 80 countries to advance the case for reparations. Ghana has been designated by the African Union as "champion for reparatory justice" in the intensifying global conversation on formal apologies, debt relief, and financial compensation from nations that benefited from slavery.
16 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 12 August

Ghana Tourism Authority deputy CEO launches podcast to promote African tourism
Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana has launched Tourism Destination Africa, a podcast designed to amplify African voices and reshape global perceptions of the continent's tourism industry through storytelling focused on tourism, travel and hospitality in Ghana and across Africa.
12 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Comedian Lekzy DeComic criticises NDC over comedy support
Lekzy DeComic has criticised the current government for inadequate support for comedians and the creative industry, comparing it unfavourably to the previous NPP administration, which he says became more responsive to comedy after his concerns.
12 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
Six Ghana hotels honoured for cage-free egg sourcing
The Animal Welfare League has awarded "Champions of Compassion" status to six hotels—Ibis Styles Accra Airport Hotel, Accra City Hotel, Oak Plaza Hotel, African Regent Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra—for committing to cage-free egg sourcing and ethical treatment of laying hens. The awards, part of the inaugural Hospitality with Heart Awards, evaluated 31 three-star hotels and above on their commitment to responsible sourcing and animal welfare standards.
12 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 11 August

GTA's tourism data collection model fails to capture true economic value
Francis Doku, COO of Maestro Africa Group, has criticized the Ghana Tourism Authority's data collection model as defective, arguing it fails to accurately represent tourism's contribution to the economy because the Authority has not properly set up its Tourism Satellite Account. He cited the 2025 annual report's figures of 1.3 million arrivals at an average spend of GH¢3,320 per person as unrealistic.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 9 August

NPP government supported comedians more than NDC – Lekzy DeComic
Ghanaian comedian Lekzy DeComic says the previous NPP government paid more attention to comedians and the entertainment industry than the current NDC administration, noting that the NPP government helped facilitate comedians' travel to the USA for Ghana Week celebrations in Washington, DC, while the current government appears indifferent to the comedy sector.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 6 August

Highlife to the World campaign launches ahead of Ghana's 70th anniversary
Ghana's "Highlife to the World: Black Star Experience 2027" campaign was officially launched in Barcelona on 2 August 2026, marking the start of a global initiative to promote the country's iconic music genre ahead of its 70th anniversary celebrations. The campaign will feature workshops, masterclasses and concerts across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
6 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana launches Highlife music campaign ahead of 70th anniversary
Ghana's Creative Arts Agency officially launched the 'Highlife to the World – The Black Star Experience 2027' campaign in Barcelona on August 2, 2026, to promote Ghana's iconic highlife sound globally through workshops, masterclasses and concerts across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas as part of activities marking Ghana's 70th independence anniversary.
6 August 2026 · Daily Guide →

Wednesday 5 August

Ghana Tourism Authority, Rent Control shut down KTU hostels
The Rent Control Commission and Ghana Tourism Authority have shut down Serwaa Heights and Adehye3 Hostel, two private hostels serving Koforidua Technical University students, over poor sanitation, substandard living conditions, regulatory breaches, and arbitrary rent increases. The closure followed unannounced inspections after receiving student complaints.
5 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 3 August

Ghana Tourism Authority endorses 6th Inter-Tourism Expo Accra
The Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed the 6th Inter-Tourism Expo Accra, scheduled for October 21–23, 2026, at the Ridge Royal Hotel, Cape Coast. The event aims to position Ghana as a leading tourism and investment destination by bringing together over 300 delegates to showcase tourism assets and investment opportunities.
3 August 2026 · The Chronicle →

Tuesday 28 July

Tourism leader Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah dies in Accra
Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a pioneering figure credited with helping to reconnect the African diaspora to the continent and instrumental in developing Ghana's "Year of Return" tourism campaign in 2019, died in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2026, at his private residence in Spintex, Accra. He was a Board Member of the Ghana Tourism Authority and CEO of Bridgezone, an agency dedicated to showcasing Africa to Western audiences.
28 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Deputy Ghana Tourism Authority CEO recognised by TOHO Africa
Abeiku Santana, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, has been recognised by Tourism and Hospital (TOHO) Africa among outstanding personalities for contributions to tourism and hospitality on the continent. He dedicated the honour to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority, industry stakeholders, and Ghanaians.
28 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana Tourism Authority board member Prince Anthony dies
Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a GTA Governing Board member since 2025 and former British Army officer, died on 26 July at his Spintex residence. He was instrumental in developing the Year of Return campaign and served as CEO of Bridgezone, an agency promoting Africa to Western audiences.
28 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana honours Nkrumah, slavery victims at Emancipation Day
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra on Thursday to honour Ghana's founding president and millions of Africans who endured slavery, as part of the 2026 Emancipation Day celebration. The event, held on the theme 'Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experience Ghana,' brought together government officials, diplomats, traditional authorities, diaspora representatives, and students to reaffirm calls for African unity, reparatory justice, and stronger ties with the diaspora.
28 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
GIPA launches investment roadshow across three regions
Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) embarked on a five-day Regional Investment Roadshow across Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions to identify and promote investment opportunities in agribusiness, agro-processing, logistics, eco-tourism, mining-linked value addition and rural industrialisation. The roadshow, part of the Investment Opportunity Mapping Project, will engage local assemblies, traditional authorities and businesses in Sunyani, Techiman and Goaso to develop investment-ready projects and attract domestic and foreign investors.
28 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Thursday 23 July

Ghana launches Highlife to World campaign in Paris
Ghana's Highlife to the World campaign has launched internationally with a masterclass in Paris, celebrating the history and global influence of Highlife music following its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The initiative, organised by MUSIGA in partnership with BenayaCon Promotions and ShowBiz Africa, aims to preserve and promote Highlife on the global stage.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

MUSIGA launches global Highlife promotion campaign in 2026
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) President Bessa Simons announced the 'Highlife to the World' campaign to promote Ghana's Highlife music, which UNESCO inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2025. The campaign will be formally launched at a Barcelona concert on August 2, 2026, with rollout beginning in March 2027 alongside Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 19 July

MP Awuku welcomes GTA Board reconstitution after legal compliance concerns
Akuapem North MP Sammi Awuku welcomed the reconstitution of the Ghana Tourism Authority Board on July 7, 2026, after raising concerns in June that the previous chair's appointment may not have complied with the Tourism Act's requirement that the position be held by a private-sector representative. Awuku said the development reinforces the importance of accountability and parliamentary oversight.
19 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 17 July

Ghana launches Highlife music campaign in Barcelona in 2026
Ghana will hold a concert in Barcelona on August 2, 2026, to launch the 'Highlife to the World – BlackStar Experience 2027' global campaign, promoting and preserving Ghana's UNESCO-inscribed Highlife music and dance ahead of a worldwide rollout beginning in March 2027.
17 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
Ghana launches Highlife global campaign in Barcelona August 2026
Ghana will launch the 'Highlife to the World – BlackStar Experience 2027' global campaign with a concert in Barcelona on August 2, 2026, featuring Ghanaian artists including Stonebwoy, Obrafour, and others. The campaign, organised by the Ghana Embassy in Madrid and partners, aims to promote and preserve Ghana's UNESCO-inscribed Highlife music and dance ahead of a worldwide rollout in March 2027.
17 July 2026 · Daily Guide →