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THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IN GHANA
Tourism development plan for the period of 1996-2010.
Currently, Ghana’s dream, of becoming one of the world’s leading tourism destination is being steered by a 15-year development plan. The plan as prepared with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) and with technical support from The World Tourism Organization (UNDP/WTO, 1995).
  Before the current plan is considered, here is a look at certain interesting characteristics of the industry:
v  Ghanaian residents outside the country form the largest single category of arrivals, as in 1997.They formed 88585 or 27.2% of the total arrival .They stay with friends and relatives and are classified as voluntary workers.
v  Total number of arrivals from the top six markets in Western Europe and North America was 89357 or 27.5% as at 1997(Ghana Tourist Board,1999)
    For the country’s tourism industry to successfully serve as a destination for leisure tourism, a 15-year development plan had to be formulated.
Components of the plan.
v  Annual International Arrivals.
This was to increase 286000 in1995 to 1062000 in year 2010.
  INTERNATIONAL MARKET TARGETS FOR GHANA
(1995 – 2010)
  v  Leisure or Holiday Tourism.
Leisure or holiday tourism has been projected to increase from 13.3% in 1995 to 50.2% in the year 2010 with a total number of 534000 leisure tourists visiting annually.  
v  Business Tourist Arrivals.
Arrivals in the business sector would decline from 48.6% to 28.4%.Statistically; it will increase from 139000 to 302000 annually.
v  Aside these three targets, the plan will focus on developing eco-tourism and heritage/ethnic tourism. The eco-tourism will be based on the nation’s diverse natural resource attractions, whiles the heritage tourism would based on developing cultural attractions related to the slave trade. The latter part of effort in attracting Africans in the Diaspora from the United States and the Caribbean in particular.
  v  Accommodation Sector
Accommodation requirements in the category of two star hotels and above are also to increase at the end of the year 2010. Numbers of beds are to increase from 3420 beds in 1995 to 11,550 beds in2010.
     Table 3
PROJECTED NEED FOR ACCOMMODATION (BEDS) – 1995 – 2010
(TWO STAR AND ABOVE)

oThe tourism development plan for 1995 to 2010 is part of a National Economic Development plan up to 2020 dubbed   “VISION 2020”. The plan itself is subdivided into ten (10) regional tourism development plans. These ten regional tourism development plans are also divided into District Development Plans. rem Ipsum Dolor

THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN GHANA

SOCIAL IMPACT
-Tourism, one of Ghana’s youngest industries, has grown to show its worth by impacting on the lives of Ghanaians. Contributions by various individuals and organizations have yielded much and continue top address social, economic, and physical needs of the people. It has also left footprints of adverse effects on the people. Among the three categories mentioned above, tourism has had one or more negative effects on the country. A critical assessment of tourism will be made based on these categories.
     All things being equal, all ventures go a long way to effect a change in the lives of the people. Our interests and well-beings as human beings prior to all other matters. This then triggers the need to critically examine the impact of tourism in Ghana. Some identifiable aspects have been elaborated below:
v  JOB CREATION
The erection of facilities for tourism, improvement of infrastructure  to attract the outside world ,preservation of tourist sites, the hospitality  industry, the transportation industry, tour guiding,etc. have provided Ghanaians with jobs.
  Prior to the NAM conference, government put in place measures to create a good first impression to visitors from the participating countries. This also prompted the need to build one of Ghana’s finest buildings, The Accra International Conference Center. This brought joy to the people. Jobs were to be created and money began to soar in. This created about 200 jobs. Construction and refurbishment also brought jobs to the people.
  Tourist get into the country through various routes and means. Operators of these transport system get themselves involved, therefore, into jobs which help them cater for themselves and their families. For example, operators of the Ghana International Airline employ drivers, porters, receptionists, security men, etc. A lot of Ghanaians takes such jobs and end up gaining income through these jobs.
  For tourist sites to keep their beauty and fine attractions there should be regular checks on these areas. The various attractions have employ people (Ghanaians) who do these and are being paid. Managers are also employed to take care of these. Tourism therefore put money in the pocket of Ghanaians, to conclude.

  INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
One may say that infrastructure has rather a direct effect on the environment. Remember also that these structures are used by Ghanaians and impact more on our lives.
   Through the process of creating a befitting environment for the tourism industry, many structures has been built. Roads have been constructed to certain tourist destinations to enhance accessibility. This in a way helps residents of these areas. The access these routes also in their daily routines. The Accra – Cape Coast road is now been put into a good shape. It is the believe of the government that this will enhance tourism in the Central Region and also will help citizens of these communities to go about their normal business activities in and outside the central region. Routes such as the Accra – Keta road are also undergoing similar works to help improve tourism in and around the Volta Region. Inhabitants of these communities also use these routes in their various endeavors.
v  UNIFICATION OF GHANAIANS
The Joseph’s project and PANAFEST are projects being organized to support the move to relate blacks in the Diaspora to their roots.
   The Joseph’s project is the younger of the two and it is aimed at linking blacks outside the country to their families at home. The PANAFEST which has been in existence for close to ten years has activities which bring blacks from the Caribbean the Americas and Europe. PANAFEST include activities such as the emancipation day where these ‘visitors’ are taken through a series of discussions and excursions to enlighten them on the slave trade which led them abroad. The slave trade is enacted by various drama groups. There are trips to places such as Assin Manso, where it is believed that Ghanaians slaves have their last bath before their departure.
  These activities also help in the unification of Ghanaians at home and abroad to provide the atmosphere for mutual help. The visitors have their culture handed over to them and they in turn initiate projects to improve the lives of their relations at home. These include the provision of structures such as Hospitals, Schools, Recreational grounds, etc. In Cape Coast, a fund has been established to cater for the educational needs of children in the Cape Coast community.
v  PRESERVATION OF CULTURE HERITAGE
Tourism and culture are inseparable in Ghana. Our heritage and our rich culture attract tourists. Festivals such as the Homowo of the Ga’s, Odwira of the Asante’s, Hogbetsotso Za of the Anlo, Bakatue of the Edina, Aboakyere of the Efutu’s, etc. attract viewers from all over the world.
  Culture embodies, drumming and dancing, food and drinks, and clothing. Chief’s during these activities put on their best Kente cloths, Sparkling Ahenema and expensive Gold and Diamond ornaments. Obviously, tourists get excited by this and attend these festivals over and over again.
  Ghanaians have realised the need to develop and reshape their culture in other to form a strong force in attracting tourist. This way, we preserve and make sure that we pass on this culture to the up coming generations and uphold our heritage