The Ghanaian delegation to the UNWTO's Commission for Africa meeting on Thursday was elected to the Executive Council of the organisation, obtaining 17 of the 20 votes cast.
Even though they received fewer votes, five additional nations were elected to the council. These nations are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Namibia, and Tanzania.
The 66th UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting's main event was the election of Council members, which had as its topic "Rethinking Tourism for Africa: Tackling Global Challenges; Encouraging Investment and Partnerships."
The new members will receive formal approval at the UNWTO's upcoming General Assembly meeting in Uzbekistan in October of this year.
The Executive Council, among other things, makes decisions and takes action in coordination with the Secretary General to promote tourism around the world.
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Ghana, made a promise to put travel and tourism at the top of the global development agenda during his acceptance speech. He was full of gratitude for his fellow ministers for placing their trust in him.
It will be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently tasked the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to implement innovative strategies to make tourism, arts and culture contribute effectively to national development.
The President further instructed the Ministry to ensure that by 2025 there will be two million international visitors, bringing in $6 billion yearly.
Dr. Awal urged African tourism ministers to embrace eco-friendly tourism strategies in order to protect the environment and guarantee that local communities gain from the industry's growth.
In order to increase the competitiveness of the continent, he also urged investment in tourism infrastructure and the ability of businesses throughout the tourism value chain.
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