International qualifications will strengthen Ghana’s tourism workforce — Deputy Tourism Minister

Internationally recognised qualifications and continuous professional development are essential to building a skilled workforce capable of competing in the global tourism and hospitality industry.

Ghana’s competitiveness in tourism would depend not only on its rich cultural heritage and tourism assets, but also on the professionalism, knowledge and skills of people delivering tourism services.

The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Issaka Jajah, made these remarks when he launched the ABE Global Certification and Diploma Programmes in Tourism and Hospitality Qualifications in Accra on Thursday

Mr Jajah described the programme as an investment in Ghana’s human capital that would help produce a professionally competent, internationally recognised and future-ready tourism workforce.

He said the global tourism industry was undergoing rapid changes driven by digital innovation, artificial intelligence, changing consumer expectations and increasing international competition.

“These developments make continuous professional development essential,” he said.

The Deputy Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, conferences, festivals and diaspora engagement through the Black Star Experience initiative.

He welcomed the partnership between HOTCATT and ABE Global, saying it would give Ghanaian tourism and hospitality professionals access to internationally recognised qualifications without having to travel abroad to study.

Mr Jajah called on employers to invest in internships, mentorship, work-based learning, and continuous staff development to strengthen workers' skills in the sector.

He urged government, academia, industry, development partners and professional bodies to deepen collaboration to expand opportunities for tourism and hospitality skills development.

He expressed confidence that the programme would help produce a new generation of highly skilled professionals capable of improving Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.

The ABE Country Manager, Dr Isaac Yeboah, said the programme went beyond the introduction of a new academic qualification, describing it as a workforce development intervention aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving service quality and enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness in the international tourism market.

Drawing on his own academic experience with ABE, Dr Yeboah encouraged prospective learners to take advantage of the qualifications, which provide progression pathways from professional training to higher education.

He said professionals working in front office operations, food and beverage service, housekeeping, tour guiding, event management and restaurant management could use the programmes to upgrade their qualifications while earning internationally recognised diplomas.

Dr Yeboah said the programmes also combine technical expertise with workplace competencies such as customer service, communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, digital literacy and cultural awareness.

He explained that ABE qualifications provide progression from Level 3 to Level 6, allowing graduates to continue to undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

He added that the qualifications are regulated by England’s qualifications regulator, assuring international quality standards and recognition.

On his part, the Executive Director of HOTCATT, Dr Eric Afornoper, disclosed that the institution had secured accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training and had entered strategic partnerships with technical universities, beginning with Accra Technical University, to strengthen tourism education across the country.

Dr Afornoper also announced plans to collaborate with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to establish a National Professional Training and Certification Framework to promote professional certification across Ghana’s hospitality industry.

The newly launched ABE Global programmes are recognised in more than 70 countries and provide qualifications in tourism, hospitality, business and leadership. Admissions are expected to commence immediately, with the first cohort scheduled to begin lectures in October 2026.