According to Akwasi Owusu-Mainu, one of the main economic drivers is the hospitality and tourism industry.

Mr. Akwasi Owusu-Mainu, a senior economist at the Ministry of Finance, has stated that the hospitality and tourism sector is one of the key drivers behind economic growth in Ghana. We came across this  article on Mybrytfmonline.com and moreover I was part of participants whom where trained.

He said that it boosts local companies, draws in foreign currency through tourism earnings, and helps the economy of the nation.

According to him, the industry encourages entrepreneurship and company growth by attracting both domestic and foreign investment. He added that this investment inflow contributes to the overall economic development of Ghana.

He said that the industry is a substantial source of employment, especially for women and young (Youth) people. A broad number of employment options are offered there, including those for hotel and restaurant workers, tour guides, travel agents, artisans, and support services.

On Monday, May 22, 2023, at the school's premises, he made this declaration on behalf of the Finance Minister during Koforidua Technical University's (KTU) National Training and Retraining Program orientation event.

The government is improving the recipients' abilities and maintaining the hospitality and tourism sector's long-term competitiveness and resilience through this initiative.

The Hon. Minister of Finance formally introduced the National Training and Retraining Program in June 2022.

The National Training and Retraining Programme places a strong emphasis on improving skills, work ethics, productivity, and attitude. It is concentrated on improving employees' chances of re-entering the workforce at greater levels of performance or productivity.

A National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) and Training and Retraining Program will be established, the government announced in July 2020. These programs will provide income support and employment services as a mitigating measure for workers who lose their jobs as a result of unanticipated future events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relevant course modules for the National Training and Retraining Programme were chosen after thorough stakeholder engagements. About 8,000 workers in the hospitality and tourism sector are to be trained as part of the initiative. The government would cover the cost of all qualifying and chosen recipients' training. Therefore, the government will cover the costs associated with enrolling workers in the program. 500 qualifying beneficiaries would receive training from Koforidua Technical University, one of the service providers, in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The program is created to provide our recipients the chance to improve and grow their current abilities. The training will assist participants in staying current with changes in the hotel and tourist industry and will help them get ready for upcoming difficulties. The curriculum also places a strong emphasis on professional, vocational, and retraining education.

In order to make sure that every cedi invested benefits beneficiaries and the country as a whole to the fullest, Mr. Akwasi Owusu-Mainu urged KTU to emphasize the delivery of high-quality training and exhibit efficiency in their operations. KTU should look into low-cost training techniques, make use of technology where necessary, and search out creative strategies that provide results quickly without sacrificing quality.

 

Additionally, he exhorts participants to take use of this chance by engaging fully in the many course modules that you have chosen to undertake. The beneficiaries of this program will be equipped with the skills and information needed to succeed in their respective industries thanks to the program's meticulous design. We urge you to take full advantage of this chance because it's more than simply another chance—it's an opportunity to personal development. “We, therefore, encourage beneficiaries to not just attend or log onto lecture sessions but be actively engaged in the lectures as well as the practical sessions. This will not only empower you, the beneficiaries, but also strengthen our workforce, drive economic growth, and contribute to the overall development of our nation” he said.

Professor David Kofi Essumang, vice chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, stated that while all economic sectors were badly impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic, the tourism and hospitality industry and private education were especially affected.

He applauds the administration for taking such a positive step to reduce unemployment.