A solution to the Hospitality challenge of Ghana

Ghanaians are well known for their pride and warm hospitality, yet, sadly this is not reflected in the prevailing Hospitality industry across the country today. The vast majority of Hotels and Restaurants fail to provide a consistent quality of service that the industry demands. This is a well documented fact and the Government, Hotels and service providers across the country are all aware of the need to set and improve service standards.

This general lack of international service standards can only be realistically addressed by effective best in class vocational technique and skills training, across a wide spectrum of roles, in particular within tourism and the service sector. As it stands there is no established technically oriented vocational organization that is properly filling this void at present, especially from an international excellence perspective.

Currently Hotels, Restaurants and service providers are trying to overcome the challenge by conducting in-house Training, which is clearly not working by the evidence of the current standards. Another strategy is to import professional staff from abroad, which is a practice many Hotels employ for the Management positions on a general and Department level. However, this short term strategy is not sustainable, as it is extremely expensive, it does not breed a local culture of excellence and management know how, although at present it is seemingly necessary. Some Hotels actually poach staff from other existing Hotels to resolve the issue internally by paying higher wages, however this strategy simply causes additional challenges, aggravates the situation and offers no solution.

Ghana is a developing country with an economy that grew in excess of 13% in 2011 and similar projections are expected for 2012 and onwards. The economy is fueled by great natural wealth (principally oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds, aluminum, uranium and cocoa). International business visitors are rising year on year and the Tourism Authority has expressed a desire and commitment to invest within the leisure sector.

There are already over 1,300 established hotels of various star ratings in Ghana and many more are reported to be opening in 2012-2015. Hence,the need for qualified personnel will become even greater in the next decade. At last, there is a real tangible solution, that does not just touch the edges of the problem, but creates a completely sustainable path to a culture of Hospitality excellence in Ghana.

Presenting the African Institute of Hospitality (AIH) a new premium Institute in Ghana that deals exclusively with vocational Training within the Hospitality sector. The Training Methodology of AIH has been designed to meet the demands of skilled labor in the every-growing number of Hotels, Restaurants and other Leisure based businesses in Ghana and across West Africa.

AIH has developed leading edge Methodology that has been tested with over 25,000 people within the Cruise Ship and Leisure Industries with a high level of success (average retention level: 85%) on a global scale, thereby transcending cultures and languages.

The team of reputable and dynamic International Trainers employed by AIH are highly experienced in the Service Industry overall. All AIH Trainers undergo a rigorous in-house Train the Trainer program to ensure absolute consistency and high quality Training standards. Unrivaled in the markets AIH operates, their Trainers can objectively deliver results over a wide range of subjects and activities in a way that would not be possible for a Company, Organisation or Authority to achieve internally so speedily, effectively and efficiently.

AIH' Training delivery principles are based on the expertise of executing a unique Training Methodology, a proactive approach, leading edge strategies, a wealth of experience and the commitment to achieve extraordinary results for all of their students and clients.

Below is a summary of what the African Institute of Hospitality will bring to Ghana:

-Unique and unrivaled Training Methodology (tested on 25,000 Students worldwide).

-A vast global Training experience in the field of Hospitality based on international standards.

-International and experienced Trainers that will impart their knowledge.

-A “Fast Track” approach to give unskilled people the chance to learn a trade in short time.

-Support the development of a culture of service excellence.

African Institute of Hospitality Courses
AIH is a long term solution that is not just a temporary short term strategy and they feature a plethora of vocational courses on various levels to ensure that their plan is both sustainable and successful with “big picture” thinking.

Below is an overview of the 3 different groups of course types:

Fast Track
This group consists of technical courses designed to give unskilled people a trade and employment opportunities within a short time frame and at a low entry cost.

- Fast Track Restaurant certificated by an Italian Association of Maitre D's

- Fast Track Culinary certificated by the Indian Culinary Academy.

- Fast Track Bar certificated by an Italian Association of Maitre D's.

Signature
This group reflect Personal Development courses designed to enhance an individual's capability and future career prospects. The list below is just a small selection of the courses that will ultimately be available.

- Hospitality "Serving Excellence" certificated by Progress International

-Communications skills certificated by Progress International

-Time Management certificated by Progress International

-Complaint Handling certificated by Progress International

-Attitude and Behaviour certificated by Progress International

-Ownership and Integrity certificated by Progress International

-Teamwork certificated by Progress International
Special Technical Skills
This group is dedicated to specific areas of competence, whereby an advanced level of knowledge, skills or techniques are required. By completing such courses participants will widen the horizon of their career prospects.

-HACCP certificated by Cast Consult, QMS & Progress International.

-Wine Service certificated by the Grand Maestro of Italy Alberto Civitella.

-ECDL certificated by the American Academy (Cyprus).

-Safety at Work: certificated by Cast Consult & Progress International.

The African Institute of Hospitality can also directly support all Hotels and Leisure based companies as they are capable of customizing Training by adapting their methodology to transmit any manual, procedure, regulation, skill or technique within any sector of the Hospitality Industry.

For more details of the African Institute of Hospitality start up program, location and additional information visit http://www.africaninstitutehospitality.com/.