GHANA TOURISM FEDERATION (GHATOF)
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Ghana Welcomes the World Home": GHATOF Urges Government to Act on Visa Costs, La Pleasure Beach Permits and Training MOU
Private sector backs December in Ghana 2026 but raises four concerns that threaten the welcome
ACCRA, October 2026 – The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has congratulated Government on the launch of December in Ghana 2026, themed "Ghana Welcomes the World Home," but warned that four issues could undermine the campaign: the demolition of La Pleasure Beach, the US$260 e-Visa fee, an unwelcoming visa process, and the unsigned Memorandum of Understanding on professional training and certification.
"A welcome is only as good as the experience behind it," said Mr Seth Ocran, President of GHATOF, at the launch. "Each of these matters speaks directly to whether Ghana can truly welcome the world home this December."
La Pleasure Beach: permits issued by the State
Mr Ocran recalled the "Meet Me There" era at La Pleasure Beach, where the Double Do Embassy dancing competitions produced talents such as world champion Adjetey Sowah. The demolition of 2 October 2026 has affected about 85 businesses employing more than 4,000 workers, and removed one of the key night-life destinations that drive December in Ghana.
Following a meeting with the affected traders, he said most had been issued permits by the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly and had paid taxes to the Assembly, the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Tourism Authority.
"On what basis were these permits issued? Can the private sector rely on Government institutions that are mandated by law to provide services to it?" Mr Ocran asked. "Why should the mistakes of Government appointees be paid for by the private sector? How can investors have confidence in our governance system when a permit from the State offers no protection?"
GHATOF urged Government to set up a committee to investigate the permits and, if they were issued by the Assembly, to relieve the Municipal Chief Executive of his or her duties and ensure proper compensation for the affected traders.
Visa: US$260 for a single 30-day entry
The Federation noted that the tourist visa now costs US$260, up from US$150, for a single-entry visa valid for only 30 days, placing Ghana among the most expensive destinations on the continent. While commending the free Electronic Travel Authorisation for ECOWAS, African Union and Caribbean nationals, Mr Ocran said diaspora members in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe still pay US$260 each, or more than US$1,000 for a family of four before air tickets.
He also criticised the requirements for a hotel reservation, an invitation letter from a Ghana Card holder and three months of bank statements. Citing the Nilson Report, which found that US-issued cards made up about 25.3 per cent of global card spending in 2023 but 42.3 per cent of fraud losses, and the 2024 World Cybercrime Index, which ranks Nigeria fifth globally, he questioned how safely visitors' bank statements are handled.
"A requirement that makes a guest feel exposed before boarding a plane is not a welcome," he said.
Customer service: training MOU still unsigned
GHATOF has submitted a National Tourism and Hospitality Professional Training and Certification Policy Framework under which HOTCATT leads training and assessment and employers pay for their own staff. Mr Ocran said the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority, HOTCATT and GHATOF remains unsigned.
"This framework does not ask Government for money. It asks Government for a signature," he said. "So I must ask: why?"
GHATOF's six requests to Government
1. Review the e-Visa fee downward.
2. Remove the three-month bank statement requirement or replace it with a secure alternative.
3. Simplify the remaining visa documentation.
4. Set up a committee to investigate the La Pleasure Beach permits and, if the Assembly issued them, relieve the Municipal Chief Executive of his or her duties.
5. Pay proper compensation to affected traders and partner with the private sector to restore a world-class beachfront.
6. Sign the training and certification MOU without further delay.
"The private sector is ready," Mr Ocran concluded. "Let us make sure that when the world comes home this December, it finds the door open, the price fair, the process respectful, the service excellent and the beach waiting."
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About the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF)
The Ghana Tourism Federation is the apex private sector umbrella body for tourism and hospitality in Ghana, representing 22 national tourism and hospitality trade associations.
Media contact
Office of the President, Ghana Tourism Federation
Email: president@ghatof.org
Web: www.ghatof.net