Accra, Ghana – August 6, 2026 – Ghana has launched the ABE Global Certification and Diploma Programmes in Tourism and Hospitality Qualifications, a major initiative aimed at equipping tourism and hospitality professionals with internationally recognised qualifications and industry-relevant skills to enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
The programme, launched under the theme “Building a Globally Competitive Tourism Workforce: Advancing Skills, Professionalism and International Qualifications,” is a strategic partnership involving the Association of Business Executives (ABE Global), the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), Ho Technical University (HTU), the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and the British Council.
Launching the programme on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Deputy Minister, Yussif Issaka Jajah, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Ghana’s human capital that would help develop a professionally competent, internationally recognised and future-ready tourism workforce.
According to him, the global tourism industry is being transformed by digital innovation, artificial intelligence, changing consumer expectations and increasing international competition, making continuous professional development essential. He stressed that Ghana’s competitiveness would depend not only on its rich cultural heritage and tourism assets but also on the professionalism and skills of those delivering tourism services.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, conferences, festivals and diaspora engagement through the Black Star Experience initiative. He welcomed the partnership between HOTCATT and ABE Global, noting that it provides Ghanaian professionals with access to internationally recognised qualifications without the need to study abroad.
He also urged employers to invest in internships, mentorship, work-based learning and continuous staff development while calling for stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners and professional bodies to expand opportunities for skills development.
Expressing confidence in the programme’s impact, Hon. Jajah said it would produce a new generation of highly skilled professionals capable of transforming Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Speaking at the launch, ABE Country Manager, Dr. Isaac Yeboah, described the initiative as more than the introduction of a new academic qualification. He said it is a strategic workforce development intervention designed to strengthen professional standards, improve service quality and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the global tourism industry.
Drawing from his own academic journey through ABE, Dr. Yeboah encouraged prospective learners to take advantage of the internationally recognised qualifications, explaining that the programmes offer clear academic progression pathways from professional training to higher education.
He said professionals in front office operations, food and beverage service, housekeeping, tour guiding, event management and restaurant management would have the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications while earning internationally recognised diplomas.
“A combine technical expertise with critical workplace competencies such as customer service, communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, digital literacy and cultural awareness, skills that are increasingly important in an AI-driven global economy”.
Dr. Yeboah further explained that ABE qualifications provide progression from Level 3 to Level 6, enabling graduates to continue into undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes adding that the qualifications are regulated by England’s qualifications regulator, assuring international quality standards and global recognition.
Earlier, the Executive Director of HOTCATT, Dr. Eric Afornoper, highlighted the institute’s long-standing contribution to tourism and hospitality training since its establishment in 1991 following recommendations by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
He said HOTCATT continues to provide practical training in professional cookery, catering, front office operations, food and beverage service, housekeeping, tour guiding, customer service, event management, and health and safety.
Dr. Afornoper noted that Ghana’s tourism industry is experiencing sustained growth, driven by initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Black Star Experience and the growing popularity of December in GH, creating increasing demand for internationally benchmarked professional training.
He announced that HOTCATT has secured accreditation from the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and has entered strategic partnerships with technical universities, beginning with Accra Technical University, to strengthen tourism education nationwide.
He also disclosed plans to work with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry to establish a National Professional Training and Certification Framework to promote professional certification across Ghana’s hospitality industry.
The newly launched ABE Global programmes are recognised in more than 70 countries and offer qualifications in tourism, hospitality, business and leadership.
Admissions are expected to commence immediately following the launch, with the first cohort of students scheduled to begin lectures in October,2026.
Source: PR UNIT- MoTCCA
