Mrs. Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has urged local tour guides to uphold professionalism to protect Ghana’s tourism image. This follows a viral video shared by Ghanaian tourism ambassador Wode Maya, alleging that a local tour guide extorted money from a tourist in Jamestown, Accra.
Visiting Jamestown on Sunday, Mrs. Houadjeto met with the tour guide, Mr. Daniel Addo (a.k.a. Toucher), to assess the situation. She emphasized the need for training local guides to engage tourists properly and prevent unprofessional behavior that could harm Ghana’s reputation.
Mr. Addo denied the extortion claims, stating that the tourist voluntarily inquired about financial support for a midshaft structure he planned to move into. He clarified that their standard tour fee is GHC50, with proceeds supporting a community school and volunteer teachers. He also showcased initiatives such as a borehole and school furniture provided for the locals.
GTA Deputy CEO, Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, reinforced the call for professionalism among tour guides and announced upcoming GTA plans to improve their efficiency and service quality.
