Ghana’s tourism sector continued its post-pandemic recovery in 2025, boosted by rising international arrivals and record foreign exchange receipts, but persistent delays in infrastructure projects and tax reforms risk constraining long-term growth, policy think tank IMANI Africa said.
Tourism remains one of Ghana’s key economic pillars, contributing about 5% of GDP before COVID-19 and ranking as the country’s fourth-largest source of foreign exchange after cocoa, gold and oil. After a sharp collapse in 2020, the sector rebounded strongly, with receipts reaching a record $4.82 billion in 2024 from nearly 1.29 million international arrivals, according to IMANI.
“The report notes that misuse of funds and weak project governance previously stalled Marine Drive construction,” IMANI said, highlighting ongoing delays in one of the government’s flagship infrastructure projects. Plans to modernise Centres of National Culture and develop new facilities in recently created regions have also progressed slowly, leaving many sites underdeveloped and commercially weak.
IMANI also noted that accessibility remains a major concern. “Accessibility represents a major gap across hotels, heritage sites, transport systems, and public spaces,” the think tank said, underscoring the limited investment in facilities for people living with disabilities.
Fiscal reforms promised in government policy documents have yet to materialise. “The government has not reviewed the utilization of the Tourism Development Levy to ensure equitable distribution across all sectors under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture,” IMANI said. The organisation added that “the government has not reviewed taxes or enhanced incentives for hospitality and broader tourism sectors despite strong industry advocacy,” leaving hotel operators and other tourism businesses exposed to high costs and regulatory uncertainty.
IMANI welcomed progress in data and digital infrastructure, noting new online tourism platforms and preparations to launch Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account in 2026, which should improve measurement of the sector’s contribution to GDP.
Despite the rebound in demand, IMANI warned that slow execution, weak inter-ministerial coordination and policy uncertainty could undermine future growth. “Tourism has regained momentum, but without faster infrastructure delivery, clearer fiscal incentives and stronger public-private coordination, Ghana risks failing to convert recovery into sustained competitiveness,” the think tank said.
