HOTCATT and ABE Launch International Tourism and Hospitality Certification to Boost Ghana’s Global Competitiveness

6th August•2 min read•13 sources

The Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), in collaboration with the UK-based Association of Business Executives (ABE), has officially launched a landmark partnership to provide internationally recognized qualifications in tourism and hospitality. The initiative, unveiled in Accra on August 6, 2026, aims to bridge the professional skills gap in Ghana's tourism sector by offering a UK-accredited Diploma in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the program is designed to equip Ghanaian youth with the tools necessary to thrive in a globally competitive market, with qualifications recognized in over 70 countries.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Yussif Issaka Jajah, emphasized that Ghana’s success as a tourism hub will depend heavily on service quality and hospitality standards rather than just the country's natural and historical attractions. Representing Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Jajah noted that tourism remains a top priority under the administration of President John Mahama. He highlighted that the certification program is a strategic move to reduce youth unemployment and ensure that service delivery in the hospitality sector meets evolving international expectations.

The curriculum, developed through the HOTCATT-ABE partnership, will cover essential operational areas including food service, event management, and customer relations. Enrollment is currently open to a broad range of applicants, including those with WASSCE, Diploma, or Degree certificates, as well as industry professionals with at least three years of relevant experience. The first cohort of students is scheduled to begin classes in October 2026. This collaborative effort also involves plans for future partnerships with local hotels and tourism facilities to provide students with practical, hands-on training environments.

Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, underscored the importance of shifting public perception regarding careers in the tourism industry. He argued that professionalizing the workforce through globally recognized qualifications is essential for improving Ghana's reputation on the world stage. By addressing training deficiencies among frontline workers, the initiative seeks to create a new standard of excellence in Ghanaian hospitality, ultimately positioning the nation as a premier destination for international travelers.

This story touches markets covered on Anansi Intelligence ↗.

More from education

Continue exploring similar stories

Obuasi East Assembly donates relief items to 32 Christ the King Catholic SHS fire victims

education|13th August

Obuasi East Assembly Supports SHS Fire Victims as Challenging Heights Strengthens Child Protection Governance

In a significant move to safeguard the welfare of students and vulnerable children in Ghana, the Obuasi East Municipal Assembly has stepped in to support fire victims at Christ the King Catholic Senior High School (SHS), while the prominent non-governmental organization Challenging Heights has launched a major governance overhaul. These parallel developments underscore a renewed national focus on institutional accountability and emergency response within the educational and social protection sectors. Following a devastating fire that gutted a dormitory block at Christ the King Catholic SHS, Municipal Chief Executive William Kofi Adzowu led a delegation to provide immediate relief items to 32 affected students. The assembly’s intervention included the donation of essential school supplies, such as trunks, beds, and other learning materials, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on the school and the parents of the victims. During the presentation, Mr. Adzowu commended the Ghana National Fire Service for their rapid response, which prevented further damage to the facility. While two students sustained injuries while attempting to save their belongings, they are receiving necessary care, and the school has confirmed that renovation works on the damaged dormitory are already underway. The Municipal Education Director praised the assembly for its timely fulfillment of promises, noting that such support is critical for maintaining the academic stability of the affected students. Simultaneously, the broader landscape of child protection in Ghana is seeing structural improvements through the reforms at Challenging Heights. The organization, which has dedicated two decades to child-centered advocacy, recently transitioned its Advisory Board into a fully-fledged Board of Directors, now chaired by Professor Mavis Amo-Mensah. This governance reform is designed to create a clear separation between oversight and daily management, ensuring that the NGO remains resilient beyond individual leadership. The new board has also adopted a comprehensive data protection framework in line with Ghana’s Data Protection Act, reinforcing the organization's commitment to the privacy and safety of the children it serves. These initiatives, ranging from localized emergency relief to national-level institutional reforms, highlight the multifaceted approach required to protect the next generation of Ghanaians. By combining immediate material support for students in crisis with long-term governance improvements in child advocacy organizations, stakeholders are working to build a more robust safety net. Moving forward, the focus remains on fire safety education within schools and the implementation of independent evaluations to ensure that social protection programs deliver maximum impact for the country's youth.

education|13th August

Local Leaders and Philanthropists Spearhead Educational Support in Jirapa and Ekumfi Municipalities

Educational infrastructure and resource availability in rural Ghana have received a significant boost through separate initiatives led by public officials and private philanthropists. In the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region, Member of Parliament Cletus Seidu Dapilah and Municipal Chief Executive Peter N. N. To-ang have commissioned critical academic and health facilities. Simultaneously, in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region, gospel musician Essi Donkor has launched a foundation-led initiative to provide essential learning materials to primary school pupils, reflecting a multi-sectoral commitment to improving basic education standards. In Jirapa, the collaborative effort between the MP and the MCE resulted in the handover of a newly constructed Junior High School (JHS) block alongside several cross-sectoral projects. To address the acute shortage of seating in classrooms, the officials distributed 970 pieces of school furniture to local institutions, with an additional 2,000 desks expected to be delivered in the coming weeks. Beyond education, the development tour included the commissioning of a Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound and public sanitation facilities in Tiza. Mr. Dapilah and Mr. To-ang emphasized that these investments are vital for the holistic development of the municipality, urging residents to maintain the new facilities and prioritize household sanitation to complement public efforts. Meanwhile, gospel musician Essi Donkor has turned her attention to her hometown in Ekumfi through the inaugural project of her namesake foundation. The initiative targets approximately 1,500 pupils at the Ekumfi Akwansa Kokodo D/A Primary School, who are set to receive exercise books and other essential stationery items. Ms. Donkor highlighted the importance of supporting the school where her own journey began, stating that enhancing educational accessibility is the foundation's primary goal. She expressed optimism that this maiden project will pave the way for future interventions in neighboring towns, ensuring that her rising musical career also serves as a platform for community development and child welfare. These localized efforts come at a crucial time as the administration of President John Mahama continues to address the challenges of providing quality education across all regions. While the central government manages large-scale policy, the contributions of MPs like Cletus Seidu Dapilah and private citizens like Essi Donkor illustrate the importance of community-level intervention in bridging resource gaps. As these projects move from commissioning to daily use, the focus shifts to sustainability and the long-term impact on student performance and community health outcomes in rural Ghana.

Theresa Tetteh — Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Education

education|13th August

Youth Minister and Education Leaders Advocate for Values-Based Development and Growth Mindset in Ghana

Ghanaian leaders and education stakeholders are calling for a renewed focus on character building, early childhood support, and a growth mindset as essential pillars for national progress. During recent high-profile events across the country, government officials and experts emphasized that while academic and technical skills are necessary, the underlying values of discipline, integrity, and resilience will ultimately determine the success of the next generation in an increasingly digital and complex global economy. At the opening of the National Youth Conference at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Minister of Youth Development, George Opare Addo, stressed that fostering good character is a prerequisite for national advancement. Speaking under the theme 'Building values, inspiring patriotism: Empowering the youth in the digital age,' the Minister urged young Ghanaians to leverage digital technologies for economic opportunities rather than unproductive activities. This sentiment was echoed by the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, who maintained that hard work and moral values must accompany skill acquisition to create a foundation for genuine success. Complementing this focus on youth development, the Ledzokuku Municipal Director of Education, Theresa Tetteh, has called for increased stakeholder investment in early grade education. Speaking at the 30th-anniversary launch of the Morning Glory Montessori Child Development Centre, Tetteh argued that a solid educational foundation is critical for reducing future dropout rates and fostering a lifelong love of learning. She highlighted that nurturing character and leadership at the earliest stages of a child's development significantly improves long-term academic outcomes and benefits the entire educational ecosystem. The importance of mental fortitude was further emphasized during the launch of two books by tax expert and Deloitte Ghana partner Gloria Boye-Doku in Accra. The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, encouraged Ghanaians to adopt a growth mindset to navigate life's challenges. Reviewing Boye-Doku’s works, 'The Power of Hope' and 'Mindset for Success,' Ahiafor noted that visionary thinking and resilience are vital for effective leadership and national development. He praised the author’s perspective on how a positive mindset can transform adversity into opportunity. Collectively, these directives from the Ministry of Youth Development, the educational directorate, and the leadership of Parliament signal a strategic shift toward holistic development. By integrating moral character at the youth level, providing robust support for early childhood learners, and encouraging a resilient mindset among professionals, Ghana aims to cultivate a workforce capable of driving sustainable growth and innovation in the years ahead.

education|13th August

CSIR-WRI Introduces Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture System to Boost Food Production and Sustainability

Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI) have unveiled a groundbreaking integrated aquaculture-agriculture system designed to revolutionize food production in Ghana. Led by Dr. Seth Agyakwah, the Head of Aquaculture at CSIR-WRI, the initiative focuses on recycling nutrient-rich wastewater from fish farming to serve as a high-quality input for crop cultivation. This innovative approach aims to address two critical challenges: reducing environmental pollution caused by fish farm effluents and maximizing the utility of limited water resources for sustainable agriculture. The system operates by channeling effluents from fish production tanks—which are typically loaded with organic nutrients—into irrigation systems for specific crops. Recent trials have already yielded promising results, with successful harvests of vegetables such as cucumbers that thrive on the nutrient profiles of the wastewater. Dr. Agyakwah highlighted that this method not only provides a steady supply of irrigation water but also significantly reduces the health risks associated with farmers using untreated or polluted water sources. By aligning crop nutrient demands with fish production waste, the system creates a circular economy model that enhances overall farm productivity while protecting the environment. Beyond the technical development, the CSIR-WRI has prioritized technology transfer and capacity building. Supported by training initiatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the technology is being introduced to local farmers and youth groups. However, despite the potential for widespread adoption, Dr. Agyakwah noted that limited access to financing remains a significant hurdle for small-scale farmers looking to implement the infrastructure required for such integrated systems. To ensure the long-term success and scalability of the project, CSIR-WRI is calling for greater institutional synergy. Dr. Sylvester Afram Boadi emphasized the necessity of coordinated policies between water, energy, food, and environmental sectors to avoid missed opportunities for infrastructure development. As the administration of President John Mahama continues to focus on sustainable food systems, the CSIR-WRI is urging the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to officially adopt and integrate this system into national agricultural strategies, particularly for regions facing acute water scarcity.

Stay Informed

Explore

Categories

Features

Topics

Legal

HOTCATT and ABE Launch International Tourism and Hospitality Certification to Boost Ghana’s Global Competitiveness

More from education

Obuasi East Assembly Supports SHS Fire Victims as Challenging Heights Strengthens Child Protection Governance

Local Leaders and Philanthropists Spearhead Educational Support in Jirapa and Ekumfi Municipalities

Youth Minister and Education Leaders Advocate for Values-Based Development and Growth Mindset in Ghana

CSIR-WRI Introduces Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture System to Boost Food Production and Sustainability