GTA Officials Pay Courtesy Call on Ga Mantse, Announce Plans to Collaborate on Homowo Festival.
Officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), led by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Maame Efua Houadjeto, paid a courtesy visit to the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The visit, held at the Ga Mantse Palace, served as a formal introduction of the Authority’s new leadership and an opportunity to seek the King’s blessings for a successful tenure.
The engagement aimed to strengthen ties between the Authority and the Ga Traditional Council, fostering a closer working relationship focused on showcasing the Ga State’s rich tourism potential.
During the visit, His Royal Majesty proposed a collaboration between the GTA and the Ga Traditional Council for this year’s Homowo festival—a suggestion warmly welcomed by the CEO. The King emphasized the vision to elevate this year’s celebration by aligning it with Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on eradicating hunger.
“Homowo is already recognized globally, with people across the world and the diaspora observing it. But this year, we want to take it further—connecting the festival with the global agenda of ending hunger. We also want to highlight the region’s tourism appeal, including our beaches, the Monkey Sanctuary at Osudoku, sculpture villages, and historic forts and castles,” he stated.
He proposed the establishment of a dedicated office for the Ministry and the GTA within the Ga Mantse Palace to enhance collaboration, communication, and planning. “We need a liaison officer to help us coordinate efforts and share ideas on this significant partnership,” he added.
CEO Houadjeto expressed her gratitude for the warm reception, describing traditional leaders as “landlords” of the land on which many tourism activities are held. She stressed the importance of engaging traditional authorities as key stakeholders in Ghana’s tourism development strategy.
“Since assuming office, I felt it was essential to personally meet His Royal Majesty and introduce our team. Greater Accra is home to iconic tourist sites such as the Jamestown Lighthouse, forts and castles, and the Monkey Sanctuary. Promoting these sites requires strong partnerships with local leaders,” she said.
The visit also aligned with the broader goals of the President’s flagship tourism campaign, the Black Star Experience, which seeks to position Greater Accra as a dynamic destination for cultural, heritage, and immersive experiences. Through this initiative, GTA is committed to revitalizing historic attractions and cultural festivals to draw both domestic and international visitors.
A key point of discussion was infrastructure and community engagement in areas such as Jamestown. The GTA CEO acknowledged the challenges facing the Jamestown Lighthouse tourist center, especially after the passing of its former manager. She commended the youth for stepping up as informal tour guides but stressed the need for structured support and training.
“We’ve assessed the site and recognize the need for reorientation. We plan to provide training and resources to the local youth, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to manage tourism professionally and enhance the overall visitor experience,” she affirmed.