The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged Ghanaians to embrace domestic tourism.
She noted that the success of the government’s “Black Star Experience” initiative relies on citizens actively exploring their own country.
She said this during her visit to the Jirapa Royal Hill Safari, known as “Jirapa Dubai,” in the Upper West Region on Saturday.
She stated that Ghana’s tourism industry would truly thrive if more citizens travelled domestically to experience its unique attractions.
According to her, domestic tourism should form the foundation of the Black Star Experience initiative before attracting more international visitors.
She noted that Ghana’s population presents a strong local market capable of sustaining the tourism sector if more people develop the habit of travelling within the country.
Madam Gomashie recalled that during her vetting as Minister, she expressed a strong desire to increase domestic tourism and believes millions of Ghanaians moving around the country would provide a major boost to the sector.
The Minister described the Jirapa Royal Hill Safari as an impressive investment that reflects Ghana’s ability to provide eco-tourism experiences comparable to well-known safari destinations around the world.
She said her experience visiting safari destinations in other countries showed that the Jirapa facility could match internationally recognised standards.
Madam Gomashie encouraged Ghanaians to patronise the facility in honour of its late founder and to help sustain the business while promoting wildlife tourism.
She commended the management and staff of the facility for their professionalism and hospitality. She stressed the need for continuous training and support from agencies under the Ministry to improve service delivery within the tourism sector.
She said Ghana is blessed with diverse landscapes and experiences across the southern, middle belt and northern regions of the country, offering tourists a wide range of attractions, including cultural heritage, eco-tourism, historical sites and water-based activities.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
