The government, through the State Department for Tourism, has dismissied claims that the ongoing review of the National Tourism Strategy seeks to introduce privatisation or informal policy formation, particularly concerning crucial beach resources.

In a statement issued by John Ololtuaa, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, clarified the government’s stance following questions raised during the public engagement process on the draft strategy.

The Ministry affirmed that the entire strategy is built around three key pillars aimed at re-engineering the tourism product and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

This includes a specific focus on beach tourism, with page 50 of the draft identifying and designing certain beaches and islands for special concessions based on global best practice.

However, the core of the statement was a categorical denial of any intent to privatise. The Ministry asserted that while public participation is essential, it “cannot possibly endorse any form of privatization or informal policy formulation or imputed by some social media outlets.”

The State insisted that such processes must strictly adhere to established policies and legislations, specifically citing the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

Crucially, the government affirmed that the ownership and management of beaches, beach land, and resources will unequivocally remain under the National Government.

The role of the private sector is strictly limited to providing investment, innovation, and service delivery under regulated agreements.
The Ministry issued a strong caution against “premature conclusion” and allegations that the National Government intends to bend established legal provisions to create “illegitimate creation of investment opportunities.”

The statement labeled these assertions as “far-fetched” and stated they can only be uttered in “complete bad faith by whomsoever.”

The State Department for Tourism had published the draft document to fulfil its mandate under the Tourism Act, which requires it to prepare a National Tourism Strategy outlining how the sector will be marketed, managed, and regulated.

The draft strategy is currently available on the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife website. Stakeholders and the public are urged to review the document and share their comments or suggestions via email to: [email protected] and [email protected].