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The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Dzifa Gomashie, has implored Ghanaians particularly stakeholders in the hospitality industry to help boost Ghana’s tourism receipts by selling the country through food.

Mrs Gomashie lamented the fast rate at which the local cuisine was vanishing in the industry and commended the Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC) for organising a food festival dubbed ‘foodfest’ in Accra which showcased a variety of local dishes.

She urged stakeholders in the industry to safeguard the local cuisine and promote the rich culture of the Ghanaian food stressing that such effort when ensured will boost the country’s tourism receipts.

Mrs Gomashie was addressing hospitality stakeholders at the maiden edition of Foodfest 2015 held at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra.
A brainchild of the Ghana Tourist Development Company (GTDC), the event brought together stakeholders in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurant operators, caterers and chefs.

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of GTDC, Mr. Samuel Atta Mills, said Foodfest had “enabled people to taste authentic Ghanaian dishes and know where to locate such food joints after the fair. The caterers have been given the exposure and networking has taken place.”

He observed that food festivals help to unearth an array of local dishes for locals and foreigners to know more about the culture of a country.

Mr Mills announced the food festival would be institutionalized and made an annual event.

The GTDC organised the event in partnership with TV3 and in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF).

It was under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. The event was chaired by the Osu Mantse, Nii Kinka Dowuona VI.