Ghanaians Urged To Support Tourism Sector To Reduce Unemployment

The President of School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Industry Mr Goyimwole Enukomekuo Kpodo has called on Ghanaians to genuinely invest in the tourism industry if they are really committed to addressing the unemployment situation in Ghana.

'I believe the hospitality and tourism sector can gradually become the number one income generator for the country if it gets the needed investment, 'he said.

'We want to see unemployment reduced drastically and if possible completely by 2016 if we get the needed support for the sector', he added.

Mr Goyimwole Enukomekuo Kpodo was speaking at the maiden Sponsors and Media Forum for First National Tourism and Hospitality Career Fair and Exhibition NATHAFEST 2014.

Themed' Reversing Unemployment the two day fair slated from 8th to 9th October is being organized by the School of Hotel , Restaurant and Tourism Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism , Culture and Creative Arts , Ghana Tourism Authority and Ghana Tourism Federation.

It seeks to bring together players in the tourism sector ranging from experts , students , practitioners , investors and the general public to showcase their wares and services and also deliberate on pragmatic ways of creating viable employment in the sector to reduce Ghana's unemployment level.

The fair would also focus on career and Skills Development, Employment opportunities within the hospitality and Tourism Sector, Career Counseling, and career Counseling.

According to Mr Kpodo there was no need for the youth of the country to travel abroad in search of greener pastures if they generate interest in working in the sector.

'This sector literally employs everybody from the farmer to the shoe shine boy and it is not like the health profession where you have to wait for somebody to fall sick before you earn your money', he intimated.

'I can assure you that with little investment in the sector you can have sustainable income all the time as compared to other industries', he stated.

He further called on prospective partners and sponsors to support NATHAFEST 2014 to help achieve the laudable objective of reducing unemployment in the country.

The forum was also used to acknowledge some sponsors such as Metropolitan Life Insurance, Amen Amen Institue Herty's World Decoration, Multi Pro Limited (producers of Indomie) Coconut Groove Regency Hotel and Pink Fm.

There would be two more media and sponsorship forum slated for July and August prior to the main event.