Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mrs. Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, has called on West African governments to accelerate efforts toward harmonising visa regimes, improving cross-border connectivity, and forging stronger linkages among tourism destinations across the sub-region.
Speaking at the 8th edition of Accra Weizo, a prominent West African Travel Expo held in Accra, Mrs. Houadjeto emphasised that travelers should be able to journey from Accra to Lagos, Banjul to Abidjan, or Abuja to Lomé with ease and confidence. “We must remove the roadblocks, reduce bureaucracies, and invest in infrastructure and technology to support seamless travel,” she stated.
The expo, themed “Reimagining the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol,” was organised by Akwaaba African Travel Market in collaboration with the GTA, and brought together stakeholders to rethink regional integration through tourism and travel.
Mrs. Houadjeto said the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, initially designed to promote economic integration and people-to-people exchange, must now be made more efficient for today’s travellers. “The time has come to unlock the full potential of Africa’s shared borders and cultural wealth,” she added.
Highlighting Ghana’s unique tourism appeal, she described the country as not just a destination, but a gateway to African history, culture, and reconnection. “We are building a tourism industry that is people-centred, supporting livelihoods, driving local enterprise, elevating communities, and championing sustainability,” she noted.
She added that the GTA is investing in green infrastructure, including eco-lodges and game parks, to promote environmentally responsible tourism while preserving biodiversity and heritage sites. The Authority is also working to amplify authentic African stories that reflect resilience and creativity, particularly in connecting with the diaspora.
“We believe that by owning our heritage, we can change perspectives, inspire pride, and create meaningful tourism experiences. Let’s rewrite the script of African tourism and redefine what it means to travel within our region,” she said.
Ambassador Ikechi Uko, convener of Akwaaba African Travel Market, underscored the aim of Accra Weizo: to spur intra-regional tourism by simplifying airport and border processes, standardising tourism services, and presenting West Africa as a unified travel destination.
He lamented that although West Africa has a population of over 400 million and a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, it receives the fewest tourists in Africa, despite having the highest number of outbound travellers.
“We need to encourage West Africans to explore their own region,” he stressed. “Creating a seamless travel environment is key to unlocking the vast tourism potential here.”
The event also features a lineup of activities including tourism conferences, exhibitions, a fun trip, B2B engagements, and the prestigious Balafon Award of Excellence, which honours leading figures and pioneers in the ECOWAS tourism space.
Mrs. Houadjeto concluded by urging stakeholders to embrace bold ideas and shared strategies to drive a more connected and prosperous West African tourism industry. “Let us reimagine tourism as a force for unity, pride, and progress.”
