Gomashie Calls for Better Maintenance, Accurate History at Tourist Sites

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for improved maintenance, consistent interpretation of historical narratives and sustained investment in tourist attractions to enhance visitor experiences and encourage repeat visits.

She made the call during a tour of selected tourist attractions in the Eastern Region after participating in the 2026 Eastern Regional Tourism Expo, held in Koforidua as part of activities marking World Tourism Day.

The Minister visited the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Aburi Craft Village and Papaye Gardens, where she interacted with facility managers, received briefings on their operations and assessed opportunities for improving the attractions.

At the Aburi Botanical Gardens, she was taken through the site’s rich history, including its historical association with the Biafran War and trees planted by prominent world leaders who had visited the facility.

She also received updates on the condition of the trees and the general state of the gardens before planting a tree herself to underscore the importance of environmental conservation and the preservation of Ghana’s natural heritage.

Gomashie stressed that regular maintenance of the gardens must be treated as a priority, noting that the site’s historical significance and natural beauty could only be preserved through deliberate and sustained care.

She also raised concerns about inconsistencies in the way the history of tourist sites is communicated to visitors.

According to her, tour guides must provide accurate, consistent and coherent accounts of historical events to protect the credibility of attractions.

She explained that conflicting versions of the same historical narrative could confuse visitors and gradually reduce their interest in returning to the sites.

“When visitors receive different accounts of the same historical events during successive visits, they may become uncertain about what to believe,” she noted, stressing the need for a more coordinated approach to historical interpretation.

Although the Aburi Botanical Gardens do not fall directly under the management of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Gomashie said tourism development requires collaboration among institutions responsible for attractions and those providing the infrastructure needed to support them.

She noted that the Ghana Tourism Authority plays a regulatory and supervisory role in the tourism sector, including permits and oversight, but stressed that the development of tourist destinations also depends on cooperation with other ministries and government agencies.

The Minister particularly highlighted the role of the Ministry of Roads and Highways in improving access to tourist attractions.

She disclosed that concerns over poor road access to tourist destinations had been brought to the attention of President John Dramani Mahama, who had tasked the Roads and Highways Minister with prioritising roads leading to key tourism sites.

According to her, a list of roads requiring urgent attention had already been submitted, while the second phase of the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme is expected to focus on improving access to tourist destinations.

Gomashie further stressed the need for tourism facilities to continuously evolve in order to remain attractive to visitors.

She said introducing new features while upgrading existing facilities would provide tourists with fresh experiences and give them more reasons to return.

Her visits to the Aburi Craft Village and Papaye Gardens also offered an opportunity to assess the diversity of tourism products in the Eastern Region and the potential of local attractions to support employment, enterprise development and economic activity.

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto; Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Professor Kobby Mensah; Executive Director of the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute, Dr Eric Afornorfe; Director of the Folklore Board, Mr Adjavon; Director of Tourism, Dr Tamakloe; Director of Culture and Creative Arts, Divine Owusu Ansah; and other officials of the Ministry.

Source: Graphics Online