Mrs Bella Ahu, President of the Institute of Hospitality, Ghana, on Wednesday, said the Institute was committed to promoting the highest professional standards of management and education in the international hospitality, leisure and tourism industries.
She said the Institute should endeavour to contribute to development by imparting the highest standards in tourism businesses.
Mrs Ahu was speaking at the inauguration of the Greater Accra Regional branch of the Institute, the first regional branch, and noted that, other regional branches would be inaugurated across the country soon.
The Institute was formed 26 years ago to promote professionalism among practitioners and educate their members to perform their duties in conformity with international hospitality standards.
Mrs Ahu advised the industry practitioners to work with ideas of mutual understanding, tolerance and spirituality, saying, “We need to insist on the notion of a participatory public to allow the hospitality fraternity to bring its programmes to the doorsteps of all Ghanaians.”
Nana Baah-Wiredu, a Tourism Consultant, giving a solidarity message, described the hospitality industry as the best in terms of a sustainable career.
He urged members of the Institute to involve in advocacy programmes that sought to influence decisions in the tourism Ministry and the country as a whole.
Mr Gameli Dzordzorme, Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourism Authority, lauded the Institute for their work, saying, the Institute was a step in the right direction and would help Ghana Tourism Authority to implement the new ACT.
Mr David Nana Anim, Vice President of Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) commended the Institute for their activities and programmes and said it had been transformed over the years and reminded members of their importance in terms of what they contributed to the country's economy.
Mrs Charlotte Twenefour, Chairman of the Greater Accra Institute of Hospitality urged members to cooperate with the new executive, saying, “Let us work together to get to where we want to be.”
Other elected executives are, Mrs Georgina Afuom, Vice President, Mr Owusu Nana Frimpong, Secretary, Mr Andrew Owusu Sarpong, Assistant Secretary.
The rest are, Mrs Morkor Tackie Yarboi, Treasurer, Mame Twumasiwa Agyei-Sarpong, Organiser and Mr Bawa Sheba, Porter.**
