Tuesday, July 1, 2025
As an innovative measure to advance tourism and facilitate an ambience for West African economic integration, Mrs. Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has urged West African governments to normalize visa regimes to facilitate easier people and goods movement across countries and foster stronger inter-linkages of destinations. She announced this while making a presentation at the eighth Accra Weizo, a West African Travel Expo. Akwaaba African Travel Market, in collaboration with GTA, hosted this forum that took place under the “Reimagining the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol” title. The forum acted to point out that West Africa must have an easy environment for people to move so that it benefits everyone in West Africa.
A Seamless Journey Across West Africa
Mrs. Houadjeto emphasized that travelers should be able to journey effortlessly from Accra to Lagos, from Banjul to Abidjan, and from Abuja to Lomé with ease and confidence. She pointed out that for this to become a reality, barriers, bureaucracies, and roadblocks must be eliminated. This would require significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and streamlined systems that would support smooth travel experiences throughout the region. With these changes, travelers would not have to deal with unnecessary delays or restrictions, enhancing the attractiveness of West Africa as a top tourism destination.
The Role of ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol
The ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Free Movement Protocol was originally established to promote economic integration and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. However, according to Mrs. Houadjeto, the protocol has not been functioning to its full potential in terms of enabling travel across borders. She called for a reimagining of the protocol to unlock the region’s full tourism and economic potential. The benefits of such a restructured protocol could lead to improved trade, greater cultural exchanges, and a boost in tourism activities across West Africa.
By rethinking the ECOWAS protocol, it would be possible to facilitate easier and more efficient cross-border movement, thus offering travelers from both within and outside the region greater access to the rich cultural and natural resources West Africa has to offer. This shift would not only enhance regional tourism but also support the growth of local economies and industries.
Ghana’s Vision for Sustainable Tourism Development
Mrs. Houadjeto went on to highlight that Ghana is not merely a stop on the map, but a gateway to African history and culture. She noted that the country is building a tourism industry centered on the people, supporting livelihoods, and promoting local enterprise. This approach also aims to elevate communities and focus on sustainability. In addition to attracting visitors, Ghana is investing in initiatives to protect biodiversity, preserve heritage sites, and promote community-based tourism.
Furthermore, Ghana is committed to developing green infrastructure, including ecologists and game parks that provide environmentally conscious tourism experiences while also creating job opportunities and conserving the country’s natural assets. These initiatives demonstrate the country’s dedication to shaping tourism experiences that are not only meaningful but also beneficial to the environment and local communities.
Telling Africa’s True Story
The GTA is focused on telling authentic African stories that celebrate the resilience, creativity, and cultural richness of the continent. As Mrs. Houadjeto noted, owning Africa’s heritage is a crucial step toward changing perceptions and inspiring pride. The goal is to create tourism experiences that are genuine, culturally rich, and resonate with visitors.
By re-imagining how tourism is perceived and experienced across West Africa, the region could rewrite the script of African tourism and redefine what it means to travel within the continent. This would foster stronger connections between people, spark pride in African culture, and encourage a sense of unity and progress throughout the region.
Akwaaba African Travel Market’s Commitment to Regional Travel
Ambassador Ikechi Uko of the Akwaaba African Travel Market reiterated the importance of improving travel and tourism growth in West Africa. The travel expo, he noted, was designed to address the challenges of making West African destinations more accessible by simplifying airport and border processes, standardizing hotel facilities, and presenting skilled and professional service providers to the global market.
West Africa, despite its rich cultural and tourist offerings, receives fewer international tourists compared to other African regions. This is in stark contrast to the region’s high outbound traveler numbers, with West Africans being among the highest number of outbound travelers on the continent. Ambassador Uko stressed the importance of encouraging regional travel, a sentiment shared by many who see the potential for intra-African tourism to bolster local economies and foster closer ties within the region.
Creating a Seamless Travel Environment
The ultimate goal of initiatives like the Accra Weizo Expo is to create a seamless travel environment that facilitates free movement within the West African region. By transforming the region into an open domestic market, stakeholders can harness the opportunities it presents. Such a vision would lead to more accessible and interconnected cities, providing a platform for cultural exchange and economic growth. Ambassador Uko also emphasized the need for stronger cross-border collaboration to unlock the full potential of regional tourism.
The Future of West African Tourism
The Accra Weizo Expo, among other events, offers a platform for stakeholders to meet and draw modalities for improving tourism in the area. Through business-to-business (B2B) networking, conferences, exhibitions, and awards, industry players will brainstorm how to improve the environment for tourism. The Balafon Award of Excellence will also give recognition to pioneers and influencers who have contributed to shaping the tourism industry in ECOWAS.
West Africa’s tourism industry has immense potential. By revisiting the ECOWAS protocol, improving infrastructures, and filling private-public partnership gaps, West Africa can tap into its tourism potential and become an international destination of great significance. By renewing focus on free flow and effortless travel, sustainability, and culture preservation, West Africa can become a significant player in international tourism.
References: Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Official Website, ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, Akwaaba African Travel Market
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Tags: Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, AKWAABA African Travel Market, Banjul, ECOWAS, ghana, Lagos, Lomé, Tourism news, west africa
