Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has resigned after a highly impactful tenure that reshaped Ghana’s tourism landscape.
Appointed in January 2017, Mr. Agyeman guided the GTA through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the sector to a robust recovery and unprecedented growth.
Under his stewardship, international tourist arrivals rebounded impressively from 355,108 in 2020 to 1,148,002 in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Domestic tourism also flourished, with visitor numbers rising from 456,000 in 2017 to 1.4 million in 2023.
Mr. Agyeman spearheaded the rehabilitation of key tourist sites, such as: Kintampo Waterfalls, Kwahu Paragliding Site, Bunso Eco Park, Denkyira Kyekyewere Eco Park, Tano Boase Sacred Grove, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary.
He also oversaw the redevelopment of cultural landmarks, including Accra Tourist Information Centre, Nationalism Park, Geese Park, Salaga Slave Market, Bonwire Kente Museum and the Pikworo Slavery Camp
Mr. Agyeman’s tenure saw the rollout of major initiatives, such as “The Year of Return” and “December in Ghana,” which positioned the country as a leading global destination for tourism and cultural events.
He championed digital transformation through projects like the National Tourism Destination Single Window Project and the Visit Ghana App.
Furthermore, his dedication to capacity building resulted in the training of over 3,069 individuals in areas like customer service, digital marketing, and tourism product development under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa Initiative.
Mr. Agyeman has officially handed over his duties to Otto Langmane, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO in charge of Operations.
His resignation follows a trend of high-profile departures from state institutions after the December 7 Presidential Election. Notable exits include Sammi Awuku, former CEO of the National Lottery Authority, and Julie Essiam, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
