Ghana and The Gambia are exploring opportunities to strengthen tourism cooperation through joint destination promotion, institutional partnerships, capacity building and increased visitor exchanges.
The discussions took place during a visit by a Gambian delegation led by Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary of The Gambia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, to Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in Accra. The visit formed part of a familiarization program aimed at deepening bilateral tourism relations and identifying areas of mutual collaboration.
The delegation was received on behalf of Ghana’s sector minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, by Deputy Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah.
Speaking at the meeting, Njie said the visit offered an opportunity for both countries to share experiences, build strategic partnerships and identify practical ways to promote Ghana and The Gambia as tourism destinations. She stressed the need to translate discussions into tangible outcomes through reciprocal visits, institutional partnerships and stronger collaboration between public- and private-sector stakeholders.
The delegation included representatives from key institutions and organizations in The Gambia’s tourism industry, including civil aviation, tourism training institutions and the private sector. Their participation underscored the importance of coordinated efforts in destination marketing, air connectivity, professional training and tourism service delivery.
Welcoming the team, Jajah conveyed the minister’s greetings and commended the delegation for involving representatives from different areas of the tourism industry.
He explained that Ghana’s ministry develops policies guiding the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors, while implementation is undertaken through its agencies and other relevant institutions. He welcomed the delegation’s planned engagements with Ghanaian tourism agencies, noting that the interactions would provide insights into the country’s tourism administration, institutional structures and operational framework.
Jajah reaffirmed the ministry’s willingness to share information on Ghana’s tourism policy framework and explore areas of mutual interest. He also emphasized the importance of direct engagement among tourism authorities, institutions and industry players in building sustainable partnerships and improving the competitiveness of both destinations.
As part of the meeting, the ministry’s Director of Tourism, Dr. Geoffrey Deladem Tamakloe, delivered a presentation on the ministry’s mandate, the work of its directorate and agencies, Ghana’s tourism attractions, and major events on the country’s tourism calendar.
The Gambian delegation’s programme also included engagements with key Ghanaian tourism institutions, including the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), as well as stakeholders across the hospitality and tourism industries.
The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for future collaboration in destination promotion, tourism product development, professional training and cultural exchange. Both countries also have opportunities to encourage reciprocal travel, expand their tourism markets and create economic opportunities for their citizens.
The engagement reflects broader efforts to strengthen intra-African tourism cooperation by leveraging shared cultural connections, exchanging industry expertise and building partnerships that support sustainable tourism growth and economic development.
