The government of Ghana has launched a language training program aimed at equipping 2,000 hospitality staff with proficiency in the French language.
This initiative, forms part of the Ghana Cares Economic Transformation program, intended to enhance the country’s tourism experience for international visitors, especially those from French-speaking nations, solidifying Ghana’s reputation as a welcoming destination in the sub-region.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, announced the significance of this language training, emphasizing that a substantial portion of tourists visiting Ghana originate from French-speaking countries within West Africa.
Dr. Awal stressed that “Ghana cannot achieve its target of international tourism and corresponding tourism receipts of $3.8 billion this year if we don’t expand ourselves to the francophone countries in the region.”
The language program according to him will empower frontline personnel across the tourism sector, including drivers, front desk attendants, and tour guides, to engage effectively and cater to the specific needs of Francophone visitors.
The training program is being executed in phases, with the inaugural phase underway this month until December 2023, involving 100 staff members from upmarket hotels in Accra. This pilot phase aims to ensure comprehensive training and assessment before expanding the initiative on a larger scale.
Dr. Awal emphasized that such investments in skill development are crucial for the long-term growth and success of the tourism sector, assuring Ghanaians of the government’s unwavering dedication to improving service quality and tourist centers across the country.
