The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) has secured parliamentary approval for its 2024 budget, amounting to GH₵175.39 million. This allocation is intended to support the ministry’s efforts in promoting Ghana’s cultural values through tourism and creative arts.
Breaking down the budget, GH₵31.1 million is earmarked for management and administration, GH₵13.1 million for tourism product development, GH₵11.44 million for tourism research and marketing, GH₵12.14 million for tourism facilities monitoring, and GH₵107.63 million for culture, creative arts, and heritage management.
The approval followed the adoption of the report by the joint committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism, as well as Youth, Sports, and Culture, concerning the ministry’s 2024 annual budget estimates. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the sector minister, moved the motion for the adoption of the report and approval of the estimates.
During the budget consideration, challenges facing the ministry were highlighted by Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Chairman of the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee. He pointed out obstacles such as insufficient official vehicles, limited office space, inadequate equipment, and staffing issues within the Bureau of Ghana Languages.
The Tema West MP emphasized that investing in the Ministry of Tourism could result in the industry recouping its expenditures, making it a unique sector with potential self-sustainability.
“If the government decides to invest in the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism industry has the potential to recoup whatever money we invest in there,” he said.
He, therefore, recommended that the government give the ministry and its agencies, the needed attention and ensure that “we find ways and means to put our tourism sites and infrastructure into a shape which will attract people from outside.”
In support of the motion, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, a Member of Parliament for Ketu North, stressed the importance of tourism as a source of foreign exchange for Ghana.
However, he expressed concern over the lack of clarity in the report regarding the contributions of the Tourism Ministry to foreign exchange earnings. Dr. Avedzi also questioned the adequacy of the allocated budget for 2024, noting a decrease from the previous year and raising concerns about potential overspending.
“It would have been better, if the ministry in your performance, had given some information in the year under review on how you will be able to earn so much foreign exchange. That can even encourage the Ministry of Finance to give you more allocations,” he said.
Looking ahead, he urged the Ministry of Finance to consider providing additional funds in the next budget cycle, emphasizing the need for adequate resources to effectively operate the Ministry of Tourism and attract international visitors to the country.
“Looking at the figure here, I doubt if it can take them to September next year and I want to draw the attention of the Ministry of Finance and those of us here that the allocation for the Ministry of Tourism is not adequate for them to operate and attract foreigners into this country. If the government decides to invest in the Ministry of Tourism, the tourism industry has the potential to recoup whatever money we invest in there.”
Source:newsalertgh