The Ghana Tourism Authority has officially unveiled the “December in GH 2024” calendar, as part of the “Beyond the Return” initiative, aimed at enhancing tourism and entertainment in Ghana during the festive season. The announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer Akwasi Agyemang at the ongoing Chalewote Festival, where he outlined a series of events designed to attract both local and international tourists.
Mr. Agyemang disclosed that 64 out of 95 proposals submitted for the event have been approved, while the others were returned for revisions to better align with the strategic goals of the initiative. The primary objective of “Beyond the Return” is to attract investment from the diaspora, positioning tourism as a significant contributor to Ghana’s national economy.
Reflecting on the success of previous editions, the 2022 “December in GH” generated $2.5 billion in revenue, driven by the arrival of 914,892 foreign tourists, marking a 47% increase compared to 2021. The Ministry of Tourism had set an ambitious target of 1.2 million arrivals for 2023, with a projected revenue of $3.4 billion. President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed his goal of making tourism the top revenue generator for Ghana, aiming for $4 billion by 2024, with the vision of establishing Ghana as the tourism hub of West Africa.
During the calendar launch, Mr. Agyemang emphasized that the selection process for December events is rigorous, ensuring that all programmes align with the “Beyond the Return” pillars. These pillars include “Experience Ghana,” “Invest in Ghana,” “Diaspora Pathway to Ghana,” “Celebrate Ghana,” “Brand Ghana,” “Give Back to Ghana,” and “Promote African Heritage and Innovation.” Only credible event organizers with proven capacity are approved to participate.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture also spoke at the event, expressing hope for peaceful elections on December 7th, which would allow the planned events to proceed smoothly. The December festivities are expected to have a significant impact on Ghana’s tourism value chain, benefiting various sectors such as hospitality, transportation, food services, and event management. Businesses across these sectors that participate are poised to gain substantial revenue from both local and international visitors. The event will not conclude in December but will extend into January of the following year.
