Ghana Urges Tourism Stakeholders To Leverage AI And Tech For Sustainable Growth

Ghana is aggressively pushing to modernize its tourism sector, leveraging technology to elevate the country’s rich destinations on the global stage.

At a seminar commemorating World Tourism Day 2026 in Koforidua, Minister of Tourism Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie made a compelling case for integrating artificial intelligence (AI), digital payments, online booking platforms, and social media to make local attractions more accessible, visible, and commercially viable.

Addressing stakeholders, the Minister urged local communities to take pride in their distinct heritage and package their unique assets into competitive market offerings. She highlighted the urgent need for capacity-building in content creation, digital skills, hospitality, and youth and women entrepreneurship.

Emphasizing ethical adoption, Hon. Gomashie noted that while AI should be harnessed to amplify human ingenuity and productivity, it must also serve as a shield for Ghana’s data, cultural traditions, and national identity.

A Digital Bridge Between Heritage and Modernity

Echoing the call for technological integration, Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey also highlighted AI’s transformative potential in tailoring visitor experiences and optimizing destination management. However, she stressed that this digital transition must remain inclusive—engaging grassroots actors such as local artisans, small vendors, and traditional authorities—so that tech-driven progress yields shared economic prosperity.

She noted that the overarching theme of the concurrent Eastern Expo, “Unlocking Opportunities for Sustainable Trade, Tourism and Investment,” perfectly captures the momentum needed for the region. To support this modern mandate, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, outlined the operational backbone of this transformation:

1. The Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS): A streamlined digital portal replacing legacy paper-based procedures for operator licensing, levy collection, and public credentials verification.
2. Rural Accessibility: Integrated USSD features ensuring rural and off-grid hospitality providers can easily register and stay compliant without requiring high-speed internet.
3. Enforcement & Standardization: A firm commitment by the GTA to step up nationwide compliance checks, ensuring operators leverage AI tools to raise service quality and safeguard tourists.

Speaking on behalf of the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Odeefuo Oduro Boateng (Adahene of New Juaben) bridged the gap between traditional leadership and practical hospitality management. He advocated for embedding tourism into daily community life and praised global promotional initiatives—such as strategic sports partnerships like the Sunderland FC collaboration—as effective vehicles for global storytelling.

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Reinforcing the necessity of the digital turn, GTA Eastern Regional Director Jones Aruna Nelson reminded attendees that digital tools are no longer optional luxuries, pointing out that businesses that survived recent global disruptions were those that swiftly adopted virtual platforms and online management tools.

He remarked that while the Eastern Region boasts exceptional natural treasures—from Boti Falls to the Kwahu mountain range—scenic landscapes alone cannot sustain tourism growth without robust, modern digital infrastructure.

The symposium ended with strong messages of solidarity from across the industry, including expressions of support from the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), and TOSOGHA, all aligning behind Ghana’s vision for a tech-driven, culturally grounded tourism future.