The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) will stage more than 150 events across the country during the December festive season, with security agencies and other state institutions strengthening preparations to ensure safe and well-organised celebrations.
The events, which will feature cultural festivals, music concerts, food exhibitions, heritage celebrations and other entertainment activities, are expected to attract international visitors and encourage domestic tourism beyond Accra.
At a stakeholders’ engagement in Accra last Tuesday, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Marketing and Special Duties at the GTA, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, said this year’s celebrations would feature the Africa Festival of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, scheduled for December 9 to 12, with international artistes expected to perform.
Other activities include the Royal Savannah Fest Investment Expo in Tamale, Bulsa Frafra Festival Homecoming in Sandema, Craft and Heritage Expo in Bogda Kanda, Tadi Fest, Royal City Carnival, Bator-Obeza-Elweza Heritage Night, and the African Food Festival.
Accra will host Accra Art Week, African Basketball Festival, Afro Future and the Roverman Festival of Plays, alongside the annual December 24 celebration by musician KOD.
Other events include the Asanteman Global Expo in Kumasi, Dumba Fest in Cape Coast and Beye Homecoming in Koforidua.
Mr Aggrey said the authority was engaging stakeholders to ensure that visitors experienced the country’s culture, heritage and hospitality in a safe environment.
He said the celebrations would extend into next year as Ghana prepared to mark its 70th anniversary of independence, describing the period as an important opportunity to attract international visitors and promote tourism.
He urged the public to explore and participate in activities across the country while welcoming members of the diaspora home, describing them as returnees rather than visitors.
Events
The Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Theodore Hlormenu, said the police were preparing to manage traffic, crowds and public safety during the festivities.
He said security was a shared responsibility, and urged event organisers and other stakeholders to cooperate with the police by providing timely information about their activities.
DCOP Hlormenu added that lessons from previous festive seasons would inform the service’s operational preparations.
The Deputy Regional Administrator of the Ghana Ambulance Service, Walter Foli-Ashom, said the service would deploy dedicated ambulances, mobile medical posts and strategically positioned emergency response teams.
He said the service would adopt risk-based medical deployment and coordinate with the police, fire service and event organisers to respond to emergencies.
Mr Foli-Ashom urged organisers to submit event calendars, facilitate accreditation and provide secure spaces for medical posts and ambulance parking.
A Deputy Superintendent of the Ghana Immigration Service, Newman Akuffo, said the service had strengthened border surveillance and enforcement ahead of the expected increase in international arrivals.
He said the country had moved from manual to electronic visa applications, making the process easier for travellers.
Mr Akuffo cautioned visitors to distinguish between visa validity and permitted duration of stay, adding that overstaying without an approved extension was an offence.
He said immigration officers would also conduct compliance checks at hotels, lodges and other facilities while intensifying surveillance against human trafficking, drug trafficking and cross-border crimes.
The Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Elsie Appiah-Klu, said the authority was committed to facilitating the return of diaspora visitors through efficient customs operations at airports and land borders.
She said the festive season was an important economic period for the country, creating business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other tourism-related enterprises.
The Chief Revenue Officer and Project Coordinator of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division, David Lartey-Quarcoopome, urged event organisers, promoters and service providers to comply with their tax obligations.
He explained that taxes applicable to December activities included Value Added Tax (VAT), levies, withholding tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and income tax.
He urged organisers to register their businesses, use approved ticketing and invoicing systems, file returns and meet payment deadlines.
He warned that late filing, non-payment and failure to issue invoices could attract penalties.
