Mrs. Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has advised local tour guides to conduct themselves professionally when dealing with tourists so as not to tarnish the country’s image.
Her assertion comes after Wode Maya, a famous Ghanaian tourism ambassador shared a video online of a local tour guide allegedly extorting money from a tourist in Jamestown, Accra.
Mrs. Houadjeto paid a visit to the tourist area in JamesTown on Sunday to ascertain the truth about the bizarre situation as she engaged Mr Daniel Addo, a.k.a Toucher, the tour guide seen in the viral video.
The GTA boss stressed the importance of training local guides so that they can engage tourists in an appropriate manner, devoid of any unprofessional acts that could harm the country’s image.
“We all know that Ga Mashie has many tourist sites and attractions, and for that reason, we have local tour guides who have volunteered to offer their services.
“It is important we address this issue. We don’t want to fault them but rather guide them to do the right things.
“Since we are the regulators, it is important we initiate these steps to correct the wrongs at the grassroots of our tourism sector,” she said.
Mr. Daniel Addo, who was spotted in the video, explained that the tourist voluntarily asked him how much he needed to complete a midshaft structure he intended to move in.
According to Mr. Addo, he never asked the tourist to give him any money to render his service as a local tour guide and that accusations on social media were false.
He added that they often charge GHC50 as a fee for the tour with the proceeds used to support a school in the community, especially the volunteer teachers.
Mr. Addo also took the media men around to show them some of the initiatives they have taken to help indigenes of the area, including the provision of a water borehole and also buying some furniture for the local school.
Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, a Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GTA, encourages local tour guides to be professional in their dealings and share the right information with tourists.
He stated the GTA will be rolling out plans in the coming months to help local tour guides to effectively and efficiently discharge their duties.
