Ghana’s hospitality sector is hampered by the absence of a world-class managerial training institute, affecting labour supply and service quality.
Despite strong tourism arrivals and rising guest expenditure, the industry faces a shortage of qualified personnel, particularly at supervisory and managerial levels.
“Hospitality is lacking in a galvanised educational system, particularly from the supervisory up to the managerial level,” said Mr Ralph Ayitey, Chief Executive Officer of Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.
Mr Ayitey recounted his own challenges and those of colleagues in recruiting competent supervisors and managers.
He observed that while sectors such as fashion had developed structured training institutions, hospitality remained behind in formal, high-level education.
Mr. Ayitey stressed the need for a specialised institute to produce skilled labour that complements the sector’s efforts.
He said Ghana deserved a world-class managerial training institute capable of churning the kind of labour that would complement the work that the hospitality industry was undertaking.
Mr Ayitey underscored the importance of precision and expertise in enhancing guest experience and called for consistency in government policy.
He urged that newer initiatives like the ‘Black Star experience’ and the Diaspora Secretariat be aligned with earlier efforts such as ‘December in GH’.
Mr. Ayitey added that quality labour was essential for investors to make accurate forecasts and commit to long-term ventures, noting that a dedicated training institute was vital to sustain the industry’s growth and its role in national development.
GNA
