The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said Ghana is aspiring to create a business environment that not only captivates travellers but also nurtures a thriving retail centre.
Addressing participants at the Middle East and Africa Duty-Free Association (MEADFA) Conference in Accra on Tuesday, he said the government was committed to positioning Ghana as an epicentre where the retail dimension of travel flourishes.
The conference aims to bring official recognition to the region’s Duty-Free industry, raise awareness of the industry’s contribution to the greater travel and tourism industry infrastructure and provide representation for its member companies.
The Minister said the annual event served as a platform for meaningful exchanges within the travel retail industry and Ghana as the gateway to Africa stands as the ideal location to host it.
He said data suggest that the Middle East and Africa Duty-Free retail market was valued at about US$16bn in 2020 and is expected to grow at an average rate of about 3.7 per cent between 2023 and 2029.
The Minister indicated that, “In Ghana, we’ve moved from our old terminal two to terminal three and we’re also looking to make a couple of other airports in Kumasi and Tamale fully functional as international airports from whence a lot more businesses can take place.”
Mr Nkrumah expressed Ghana’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with MEADFA and hoped that the conference would not be a nine-day wonder but would be a frequent one hosted in Ghana.