During the Movement for Change Caravan Tour in the Volta Region, Hopeson Adorye, a key figure in Alan Kyerematen’s campaign, outlined an ambitious strategy to revitalize Ghana’s tourism sector and uplift rural women. His speech drew attention to Kyerematen’s vision of unlocking Ghana’s untapped tourism potential to boost the economy.
Adorye revealed a surprising statistic that underscores the country’s tourism potential. According to UNESCO, Ghana hosts approximately 32 of the 46 official tourist centers within their program. “I was shocked when I heard it—32 out of 46 are in Ghana, yet we remain poor,” Adorye remarked. He emphasized the urgent need to address the disconnect between these natural treasures and the lack of economic benefits.
The primary obstacle, according to Adorye, lies in infrastructure. He specifically criticized the poor road conditions leading to key tourist sites, such as Wli Waterfalls. “How do we expect someone from America to visit these places when the roads are so bad?” he asked, citing Lipe Mate and Baba as examples. He assured that under Kyerematen’s leadership, improving road access to tourist centers would be a priority, ensuring seamless travel for both local and international tourists. The goal is to turn tourism into a major revenue stream, akin to how countries like Israel have structured their tourism industries. “In Israel, they make sure you visit every site and spend money. We can learn from this and build systems that will generate income through tourism,” Adorye explained.
Shifting focus to women’s empowerment, Adorye touched on the upcoming Rural Women’s Day and Kyerematen’s plans to support women, particularly in rural areas. “Alan understands the importance of empowering women, especially those in rural communities. They are crucial to our nation’s progress,” he stated. While details of specific initiatives were not fully elaborated, Adorye assured that Kyerematen’s administration would place rural women at the heart of their empowerment agenda.
The vision, as Adorye laid out, paints a picture of a Ghana where tourism drives economic growth, and rural women are integral to the nation’s development.
