The Managing Director of Kacstone Records, Wenawome Duriyem Aborah, has called for deliberate investment in tourism and cultural activities in the Upper East Region to create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
He said the region’s tourism attractions, festivals and cultural heritage could support businesses in hospitality, transportation, food services, entertainment and handicrafts if developed into a structured industry.
Mr Aborah, who is also Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement, argued that tourism should be treated as an economic opportunity rather than an activity centred mainly on festivals and occasional visits to tourist attractions.
“Tourism is a basket of employment that gives a value chain,” he said.
According to him, the economic benefits of tourism extend beyond the operators of tourist attractions to businesses and individuals providing services to visitors.
He said developing the sector could create opportunities for young people who are struggling to secure formal employment, particularly in communities with established tourism attractions.
Mr Aborah made the remarks following his participation in a tourism industry engagement in Lesotho, where he observed efforts to position tourism as a source of employment and economic growth.
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of deliberately developing the skills of people living around tourist destinations and supporting them to take advantage of business opportunities.
Mr Aborah believes Ghana, particularly the Upper East Region, could adopt similar approaches by providing training and other forms of support to people interested in operating tourism-related businesses.
He said such interventions should not be restricted to students or people in formal education but should also target unemployed young people and residents of communities surrounding tourist attractions.
According to him, training people in hospitality, customer service, entertainment, handicrafts and other tourism-related activities could help communities derive greater economic benefits from their cultural and natural resources.
He also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, private investors and local communities to develop the sector.
Mr Aborah argued that government alone could not provide employment for everyone and that private investment and community participation would be essential to expanding opportunities in tourism.
He urged stakeholders to develop activities and events around the Upper East Region’s distinctive landscapes, cultural traditions and seasonal attractions to encourage more visits and create business opportunities.
He maintained that tourism destinations should be developed into economic assets that support livelihoods throughout the year rather than places visitors merely tour before leaving.
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