Tourism minister under fire as poorly timed pre-Christmas renovation sparks calls for accountability

Mounting criticism has emerged against Ghana’s Minister for Tourism following a controversial decision to announce a renovation of a key national tourism asset barely a week before the Christmas festivities, a period widely regarded as the peak season for tourism and hospitality revenue.

Critics describe the move as a serious lapse in judgment that cost the country a major economic opportunity.

The decision, announced around December 18 to 20, has been labelled poorly timed and lacking foresight.

Observers argue that initiating maintenance so close to December 25 demonstrated a failure to plan ahead, with one commentator expressing deep disappointment at how such a crucial window for tourism was mishandled.

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The situation has been framed as yet another example of Ghana repeatedly missing opportunities due to weak proactive planning.

Responsibility for the decision has been placed squarely on the minister.

While the newly constituted Tourism Board was inaugurated only in November and is considered too young to bear blame, the minister herself has been in office for several months.

Critics insist this distinction is critical, arguing that accountability cannot be shifted to a board that is still finding its footing.

The criticism has been particularly sharp given the minister’s background in the creative industry, a sector that many expected would benefit from her leadership.

Stakeholders from that space have voiced disappointment, stating that the lack of anticipation and preparation contradicts the expectations placed on someone with industry experience.

Calls have intensified for the minister to publicly answer questions and for the President to consider either a reshuffle or dismissal.

Beyond administrative concerns, the critique highlights broader economic and reputational consequences.

Tourism figures referenced from international and local data sources point to projections of about 1.29 million arrivals or related billions in revenue for 2024, alongside figures of approximately 4.8 billion linked to the sector’s contribution.

Critics warn that missteps at the ministerial level ultimately harm what they describe as the “corporate entity Ghana,” even if other actors appear active.

The Ghana Tourism Authority has also come under scrutiny for its digital strategy.

Despite having a strong social media following of about 170,000 and access to quality content, critics argue that these platforms are not being effectively used to promote national tourism assets, compounding the impact of poor policy decisions.

At the heart of the critique is a repeated call for proactivity.

Analysts insist that better anticipation, planning and utilisation of existing resources could have prevented the situation altogether.

As pressure builds, the issue has become a test case for ministerial accountability and the government’s commitment to protecting one of Ghana’s most vital economic sectors.