Ekow Sampson Calls for National Strategy to Boost Cruise Tourism in Ghana

Architect Ekow Sampson has called for increased investment and a coordinated national strategy to position Ghana as a leading cruise tourism destination in West Africa.

He believes the country has the potential to transform cruise tourism into a major contributor to its tourism economy, citing its Atlantic coastline, ports at Tema and Takoradi, historic forts and castles, vibrant culture, beaches and natural attractions.

In an article titled Cruise Tourism: Unlocking a New Economic Frontier for Ghana, Sampson argued that Ghana must take advantage of the growing global cruise industry to generate foreign exchange, create employment and expand opportunities for local businesses.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 37.2 million passengers took ocean cruises in 2025, highlighting the industry’s growing economic significance and the opportunities available to destinations capable of attracting international cruise operators.

Sampson, who highlighted his professional involvement in promoting Ghana’s cruise tourism potential, disclosed that he led a Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) delegation to explore the cruise tourism market in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2023.

He also led another GTA delegation in 2024 to participate in the Seatrade Cruise Global Exhibition in Miami, Florida, where the team engaged industry stakeholders and explored strategies to position Ghana within the international cruise market.

Despite these engagements, he noted that Ghana’s cruise passenger arrivals have experienced fluctuations.

The country recorded approximately 12,600 cruise passengers in 2024. However, the figure declined to 5,488 passengers across 18 cruise ship calls in 2025.

He said the decline highlights the need for sustained international marketing, stronger industry partnerships and deliberate efforts to develop Ghana’s cruise tourism infrastructure.

Sampson identified the ports of Tema and Takoradi as strategic gateways through which Ghana could attract cruise passengers and connect them to the country’s major tourism attractions.

He explained that Tema provides access to Accra’s historical landmarks, cultural experiences, gastronomy, shopping centres and entertainment activities.

Takoradi, on the other hand, offers opportunities to develop tourist excursions around historic forts and castles, beaches, Kakum National Park and other attractions in the Central and Western regions.

However, he stressed that attracting cruise ships to Ghana’s ports should not be the only priority, arguing that the country must also invest in facilities that provide passengers with a comfortable and welcoming experience.

He called on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to establish dedicated and well-equipped cruise tourism reception facilities at both Tema and Takoradi ports.

According to him, such facilities should include passenger reception centres, tourist information and excursion desks, organised parking spaces for tour buses and taxis, efficient immigration and customs services, clean public toilets, comfortable waiting areas and adequate security arrangements.

He further recommended the provision of designated spaces for Ghanaian crafts and retail businesses to enable local entrepreneurs to benefit directly from cruise passenger arrivals.

Sampson also emphasised the need for GPHA to collaborate with the Ghana Tourism Authority, security agencies, tour operators and local assemblies to ensure a seamless, safe and welcoming experience for visitors.

He maintained that Ghana’s ports must be developed into professional tourism gateways capable of creating positive first impressions of the country.

Beyond increasing international visitor arrivals, Sampson believes cruise tourism could generate significant economic opportunities for individuals and businesses across the tourism value chain.

He explained that cruise passengers spend money on excursions, transportation, food, souvenirs and entertainment while visiting destinations.

Some passengers also choose to extend their visits before or after their cruises, creating additional business opportunities for hotels and other tourism establishments.

He noted that a positive experience during a cruise stopover could encourage visitors to return to Ghana for longer holidays in the future.

Sampson, however, stressed that local communities must become direct beneficiaries of the industry.

He identified tour guides, artisans, craft sellers, restaurants, cultural groups and transport operators as some of the groups that could benefit from increased cruise tourism activities.

To achieve this, he called for investment in workforce training, sanitation, security, access roads, visitor facilities and environmental protection.

He argued that developing the necessary infrastructure and improving service delivery would be critical to ensuring that cruise tourism contributes meaningfully to local economic development.

Sampson further called for the development of a comprehensive national cruise tourism strategy involving key public institutions and private-sector stakeholders.

He identified the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Forestry Commission, District and Municipal Assemblies, tour operators and private investors as essential partners in the process.

He outlined several priorities for the proposed strategy, including stronger engagement with international cruise lines, improved international marketing, the development of attractive shore excursions, modernised port facilities, workforce training and increased community participation.

According to him, collaboration among these institutions would help Ghana address existing gaps and establish a more competitive cruise tourism industry.

Reflecting on his engagements with international cruise tourism stakeholders in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 and Miami in 2024, Sampson said the experiences had strengthened his conviction that cruise tourism deserved a more prominent position in Ghana’s tourism development agenda.

He maintained that the industry presents an opportunity for Ghana to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, support local enterprises and promote its cultural and natural attractions to the international community.

Sampson concluded that with strategic investment, improved infrastructure and effective collaboration, Ghana could capture a greater share of the global cruise tourism market.

He stressed the need for the country to move beyond being merely a port of call and work towards becoming a destination of choice for international cruise passengers.