The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has said that it will intensify its campaign against unregistered hospitality facilities in Ghana.
According to the Deputy CEO in Charge of Operations at the Ghana Tourism Authority Ekow Samson, the existence of such unlicensed facilities have the potential to destroy the goodwill that Ghana’s tourism industry is enjoying.
He said, to prevent such an unfortunate incident from happening, a nationwide task force will start working from this week to deal with any unauthorized businesses in the tourism sector.
“The seriousness of the existence of illegal facilities is the security aspect of it. Such facilities serve as a haven for criminals and miscreants and we need to ensure we get rid of them. From this week the task force is going to go round to inspect restaurants, hotels, car rentals, travel and tours, and the likes, to cleanse the system.” He spoke on Accra based Citi FM
KTV Chinese Restaurant & Bar
The Ghana Tourism Authority has said that it will intensify its campaign against unregistered hospitality facilities in Ghana. As part of its efforts to cleanse the hospitality industry, it collaborated with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service to shut down KTV 86 Chinese Restaurant and Bar in Accra.
The restaurant which is located in Labone was closed down for operating illegally and under poor sanitary conditions. According to the police they had received a tip-off about the facility being used as a brothel for Chinese nationals and are currently investigating the matter.
Ghana Tourism Authority closes down 31 Facilities
Meanwhile, in July 2019, the Ghana Tourism Authority closed down 31 facilities in the Eastern Region including hotels, guest houses, hostels, restaurants, bars and motels, for not having operational licenses from the Ghana Tourism Authority, under a special enforcement exercise nationwide.
The facilities, which were closed down were Lambert Court, Ceewus, Quest Lodge and Hosanna hostels at Brekusu, Madiba, Supreme, Elite, Hostel 99 and Frontline hostels at Koforidua, Greater Grace Guest House, Kwabeng and Riches of Glory Guest House, Kyekyewere.
Others were Royal Gate Guest House, Nankese, American Guest House and Eno Agyeiwa Guest House, both at Asuotwene-Adeiso, Loveco Guest House, Nsawam, Grace Land Luxury Guest House, Oda.
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The rest were Macdorini Guest House, Pankese, Amadu Guest House, Akoase, Regiboat Hotel, Koforidua, Cozy View Hotel, Kyebi, Star Gate Hotel, Kwahu-Nteso, Royal Asase Hotel, Asesewa, Shai-Hills Hotel, Somanya, Seven Souls Hotel, Oda, Omama Hotel, Asuom, Daddy’s Motel, Nkawkaw, Mebendesly Lodge, Begoro, FT Lodge, Boti-Falls, Royal master Lodge, Oda, Soul Restaurant, Kyebi and Bodua Corner, Apirede.
However, Reggie Boat Hotel, Coxy View Hotel Soul Restaurant, Riches of Glory Guest House, Mebendensly Lodge and Supreme Hostel, immediately after the closure went to pay the necessary fees to regularize their operations.