Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, also known as Abeiku Santana, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has stated that he would prefer to live and work in Ghana even if offered a $100,000 monthly income to move to the United States or the United Kingdom.
The vocal tourism executive is well-known for his fervent support of Ghanaian travel, culture, and the promotion of the nation as a travel destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.
After being named Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority in 2025, Abeiku Santana has advocated for Ghana’s tourism sector and the significance of Africans sharing their own narratives with the globe.
His new statement is part of a larger argument that the sense of cultural identification, personal fulfillment, and belonging that come with living in one’s native country cannot be replaced by monetary gains alone.
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According to Abeiku Santana, Ghana gives the chance to personally contribute to the country’s growth and help create its image worldwide, something that money earned overseas could not necessarily provide.
He has been in the forefront of efforts to market Ghana, draw tourists, and promote the nation’s tourism advantages thanks to his work at the Ghana Tourism Authority, which he started even before he was appointed.
He has also stepped up his support of African-led travel narratives in recent months. He started a podcast called “tourist Destination Africa” in August 2026 with the goal of elevating African perspectives and changing how the world views the continent’s tourist sector.
The benefits and drawbacks of moving to industrialized nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others in pursuit of higher wages and better living conditions have been discussed by many Ghanaians.
While many young Ghanaians view migration as a means of accessing economic opportunities, others contend that Ghana needs seasoned professionals, company owners, and investors to stay or return and contribute to the development of stronger organizations and enterprises.
Santana has previously explained that his decision to enter government was driven by a chance to make a contribution through a formal public institution, characterizing his shift from radio to the private sector as public service rather than politics.
Additionally, he has pushed for Ghana to capitalize on new business tourism opportunities, including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).