Raising the Bar: A call for better service delivery and a welcoming Ghana this December

It was one of those typical evenings in Accra, the city alive with movement, lights, and the ever-persistent traffic that tests everyone’s patience.

To escape the gridlock, I decided to stop by a hotel for dinner and wait it out. The ambience looked promising: warm lights, calm music, and an inviting exterior. Unfortunately, the experience that followed told a very different story.

Walking in, I could tell the staff noticed my presence, yet no one made the slightest effort to engage.

I sat for a while before finally catching the eye of one of them, only for him to approach with reluctance. When I asked for water, he returned with a brand I didn’t recognise.

Politely, I requested a specific one, and his curt response, “This is water”, left me stunned. It wasn’t just the tone; it was the attitude.

The disconnect between the ambience and the service was jarring. I regretted walking in at all. Beyond that, there was something else that stood out: the lack of presentation and professionalism among the staff.

In a proper hospitality environment, every guest should feel seen, valued, and safe.

Staff should wear name tags and identifiable uniforms, not only to promote accountability but to help guests know who is serving them. Visitors should feel comfortable raising concerns or providing feedback without fear of being dismissed or disrespected.

These details might seem small, but they matter deeply. They shape how we are perceived as a country and as a people. With “December in Ghana” fast approaching, a time when our country becomes a cultural hub for thousands of visitors, it’s more critical than ever that we get this right.

Service delivery is the heartbeat of tourism. The warmth, respect, and attention to detail that guests receive are what turn one-time visitors into lifelong ambassadors of Ghana.

Word of mouth travels farther than any billboard or radio advert. A visitor’s testimonial, shaped by real experiences and genuine human interactions, carries more weight than any marketing campaign ever could.

Beyond service delivery, we must also pay attention to the cleanliness, safety, and orderliness of our city. Accra, and Ghana at large should reflect the pride we speak of.

Clean streets, courteous service, secure environments; these are not luxuries; they are the foundation of a thriving tourism ecosystem. Every citizen, from street vendor to hotel manager, plays a role in creating this image.

As we step into this festive season, let’s take collective responsibility. Let’s hold our hospitality institutions to higher standards. Let’s train and empower our service workers to treat every guest with respect and enthusiasm. Let’s keep our city clean and our spaces secure.

Ghana has everything it takes to be a leading tourism destination in Africa: culture, warmth, creativity, and community. All we need to do now is match our potential with consistent, excellent service.

Because when people come to Ghana, they don’t just take pictures, they take experiences home. And the story they tell about us should make them want to return.

Let’s make “December in GH” an electrifying experience, one that lights up every corner of our nation with the energy, rhythm, and spirit that make us who we are.

Let the joy in our music, the beauty of our culture, and the excellence of our service delivery make Ghana shine bright as the true reflection of the Black Star experience we have always claimed it to be.

When we do this, every smile, every service, and every act of kindness speaks of who we are. Ghana will not only host visitors; it will inspire them.

Let’s make Ghana shine, bright, proud, and unforgettable this December.