The Volta Region is positioning itself as Ghana’s next major tourism and investment hub, with renewed focus on infrastructure development, heritage tourism, and hospitality standards. This follows discussions led by regional leaders, tourism experts, and members of the diaspora during an X space stakeholder engagement on the region’s economic prospects.
The conversations came on the back of the upcoming 7th edition of the Volta Trade and Investment Fair, set to begin on November 26 and end on December 8 2025 in Ho.
Regional Minister James Gunu outlined a deliberate strategy to rebrand and open up the Volta Region for tourism and investment. According to him, the government is prioritizing infrastructure projects, including roads, electricity, and water supply, to make tourist destinations more accessible to investors and visitors.
“When I assumed office, we identified all our tourism sites, and every district in the region has at least one,” Mr. Gunu said. “However, many are undeveloped and need repackaging. We are deliberately improving access roads and utilities to make these sites investment-ready.”
He added that collaboration between central government, district assemblies, and the private sector is key to unlocking the region’s tourism potential. “Once local assemblies invest in improving these sites, they can generate income to expand them gradually into national and international attractions,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Volta Region is exploring new tourism concepts, including cable car experiences in the region’s mountainous areas and enhanced transport links through the Ho Airport. “A functioning airport means tourists can easily reach our sites, stay in our hotels, and boost local businesses,” he said.
A major pillar of the plan is the Volta Economic Corridor project, which seeks to maximize the potential of the Volta Lake. Mr. Gunu said the government aims to develop a transport and logistics network along the lake, while expanding aquaculture, irrigation, and water sports. “The Volta Lake is underutilized. Beyond power generation, it can drive agriculture, tourism, and recreation,” he said.
From a diaspora perspective, Ivy Prosper, a tourism advocate and author, called for targeted branding and packaging to make the Volta Region a must-visit destination. She noted that many diaspora visitors currently prefer the Central Region because of its slave trade heritage sites, large hotel capacity, and curated experiences.
“The Volta Region has rich history and pristine beaches, especially in Keta and Tegbi. If packaged well, with heritage tours, beach experiences, and cultural naming ceremonies,it can attract diasporans seeking reconnection with their roots,” Prosper said.
She urged local tourism companies to develop immersive packages around Fort Prinzenstein, the Keta slave market, and cultural landmarks. “These experiences must tap into emotion and heritage, the same way Cape Coast and Elmina have been successfully marketed,” she added.
Other participants stressed the need for improved road infrastructure and hospitality standards. They pointed out that hotel capacity in the region remains limited compared to other tourist destinations, even as visitor numbers rise.
Mr. Gunu acknowledged the growing demand, saying hotels are often fully booked on weekends. “We need to expand our accommodation facilities and maintain high standards to meet the rising expectations of both local and international visitors,” he said.
The discussions also touched on the importance of leveraging technology. Organizers of the upcoming Volta Trade and Investment Fair said they are developing a virtual tourism platform to showcase undiscovered sites across the region. “We’re working with service personnel to identify and document sites so people can experience them virtually before visiting,” said Frederick Avornyo, CEO of the Volta Trade and Investment Fair.
He revealed that the fair team is also exploring a wine cultivation initiative, tapping into the region’s potential for grape farming to develop a local wine industry that complements its hospitality and agribusiness sectors.
The forum ended with renewed commitment from regional stakeholders to collaborate in promoting tourism, agribusiness, and digital innovation. “We have all it takes to make the Volta Region Ghana’s best investment destination,” Mr. Gunu said. “What we need now is collective effort and strategic action.”
