Tuk-Tuk expedition highlights Ghana’s untapped tourism potential

Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama, founder of the PUH Foundation, has successfully concluded a remarkable 90-day expedition across Ghana, traversing 6,814 kilometers in a tuk-tuk, locally known as a "Pragya." The journey, initially planned for 60 days, took her through all 16 regions of the country, visiting over 30 tourist attractions, four national parks, and numerous towns and villages. She also crossed three of Ghana's international borders.

The expedition served a dual purpose: promoting domestic tourism and raising funds for the Savelugu and Ashanti Schools for the Deaf. Ms. Mahama aims to gather GH¢2 million to enhance infrastructure and provide essential learning materials and equipment for these institutions. She emphasized that the initiative seeks to create opportunities for children with hearing and visual impairments, moving beyond a charitable approach to fostering their potential.

“

Ghana is a paradise with enormous tourism potential.

Despite facing concerns about her age, health, and the challenges of traveling during the rainy season, Ms. Mahama remained resolute. Having visited 90 countries, she described Ghana as a "paradise" with immense tourism potential. However, she stressed the need for consistent investment in the sector to rival leading African destinations like Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia. Ghana's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, forests, rivers, coastline, and historical sites position it for success, but significant investment is required.

“

The country needed to invest consistently in the sector to compete with leading African destinations such as Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia.

Ms. Mahama identified several obstacles hindering the tourism sector's growth, including poor sanitation, environmental degradation, illegal mining, a weak maintenance culture, inadequate tourism infrastructure, and road accidents. She also urged educational authorities to strengthen the teaching of Ghanaian history, highlighting the resilience and problem-solving capabilities of the country's ancestors.

Felicity Nelson, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), acknowledged the expedition's success in exposing lesser-known destinations and encouraging domestic travel. She noted that the initiative broadened horizons by showcasing often-overlooked sites and communities, demonstrating the accessibility of many Ghanaian tourist attractions even with modest means.

“

The expedition had helped expose lesser-known tourist destinations and encouraged more people to explore the country.