The shortage of hotels in the Kwahu area may worsen this year due to the decision by regulating body Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to close down some hospitality facilities for violating regulations.
Six hospitality facilities in the Kwahu enclave were closed down during the first phase of complaint enforcement.
The Eastern Regional Manager of Ghana Tourism Authority, Frederick Adjei-Rudolph, explained the exercise is part of its enforcement and monitoring regime to ensure compliance with tourism regulations and standards ahead of the 2022 Kwahu Easter Festival.
“We do know that Easter celebrations at Kwahu are a peak period for hospitality operators to rake in, but we must also ensure value for money for tourists. About 27 facilities were earmarked under two categories: enforcement and monitoring.
“Six were closed down out of the 10 for enforcement, 17 other units will be re-inspected as part of ongoing monitoring efforts because they did not qualify for license this year.
“The Authority’s regulatory mandate will be fully and strictly enforced. The exercise will be very robust effective, fair, and firm,” said Frederick Adjei-Rudolph
While those without a license have been asked to initiate processes to acquire the necessary License, facilities that violated standardized rules hence closed down would have to correct fix the problems identified before being allowed to open.
“Before a hospitality facility operates, they must submit a document on their infrastructure containing details. They must also submit a document from allied agencies like the Fire Service, EPA, etc who must give some approval. It takes about a week or two to have that license if operators do due diligence. For those who are operating below standard, they are required to correct defects before they would be allowed to work”
“We do not just close down facilities on poor standards, we identify defects, give caution for it to be corrected before we take action. Those we closed on poor standards had already received information to work on defects identified.” Mr. Rudolph said.
Kwahu Easter resumes two years after the ban due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thousands of revelers and tourists are expected to throng the area to participate in various funfair activities and paragliding.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
