The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has pledged to work with the East Gonja Municipal Assembly to identify and develop untapped tourist sites in the municipality. Speaking on behalf of Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in charge of Marketing and Special Duties Abeiku Aggrey Santana, explained that the collaboration would harness the potential of these untapped tourist sites for development and economic promotion. “I can promise you that that the GTA will work with the East Gonja MCE to ensure that the untapped tourist sites are identified and harnessed for development and economic promotion. We will also identify all tourist destinations that hold success for revenue mobilization in the country”
“These are part of the visions of the President John Dramani Mahama and we are going to ensure these visions become reality, especially with our CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto leading the team” he explained.
Mr. Abeiku Aggrey Santana was responding to a call made by the Chief Executive Officer of East Gonja Municipal Assembly Kasim Yazid Rabiu, who emphasized the need to develop the tourism sector in the municipality as well as the Savannah Region, to boost revenue generation while also serving as opportunity to create jobs for the youth of the area as well as those who work in the tourism value chain.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of East Gonja Municipal Assembly, the municipality has numerous untapped tourist sites that, when developed, would attract visitors from the diaspora and serve as a significant source of revenue.
Municipal Chief Executive of East Gonja Kasim Yazid Rabiu said “We have a lot of tourist sites that are untapped that will be important sources of revenue, when developed. They will create jobs for the youth and bring a lot of revenue to the economy. But development of tourism is our problem and I believe if we develop these sites, it will bring in a lot of people from the diaspora to visit”
Mr. Kasim Yazid Rabiu called on the Ghana Tourism Development Company and the Ghana Tourism Authority to support the municipality in marketing its tourist attractions to attract potential visitors and investors. He expressed optimism that the development of tourism would bring in substantial revenue for the municipality and contribute to its economic growth.
“We need the Ghana Tourism Development Company and Ghana Tourism Authority to help us to identify these sites and market them. We know the notable tourist site here is Slave Market and others but I can assure you that there are a lot of places that we can take advantage of and market”
The Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in charge of Marketing and Special Duties Abeiku Aggrey Santana on Thursday July 17, 2025, led a delegation from Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) and other stakeholders, to pay a curtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of East Gonja Municipal Assembly Kasim Yazid Rabiu, for the commencement of 2025 PANFEST and Emancipation Atonement celebration with the theme
“Let us speak of reparative justice – pan artistic activism” Mr. Abeiku Aggrey Santana also revealed that the GTA would identify tourist destinations across the country that hold promise for revenue mobilization, underscoring the Authority’s commitment to boosting the tourism sector.
The delegation also visited the Kpembewura’s palace to formally invite and pay homage to the Kpembewura of Kpembe Traditional Area, Banbanne IV, who is known in real life as Ndefoso Dari Haruna Bismark, to this year’s opening of PANFEST and Emancipation Atonement celebration. As custom demands, Mr. Abeiku Aggrey Santana on behalf of Maame Efua Houadjeto Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), presented some items and undisclosed amount to the Kpembewura and his elders.
In his acceptance speech, the Kpembewura said when it comes to the celebration of PANFEST, Salaga stands tall and integral to the celebration. He was grateful for the visit and commended the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) for reviving the celebration of PANFEST.
