By: Ashiadey Dotse
Ghana’s tourism industry received a major boost on Monday May 7, 2025 with the launch of the Fleet Pool Management Service (FPMS) by the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), a new transport platform aimed at solving long-standing transportation challenges in the sector.
At the launch of this initiative, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, described the initiative as a “bold step” towards transforming the tourism experience in Ghana through reliable and efficient transport.
“In 2016, GTDC had only a few operational vehicles. Today, that fleet has almost vanished, with only one or two old cars left,” she said. “But instead of giving up, GTDC has turned that challenge into an opportunity. This service is a shining example of what innovation and partnership can achieve.”
The FPMS will work through a public-private partnership model, bringing together both government and private transport operators to provide safe, professional, and dependable travel services for tourists.
According to the Tourism Minister, the goal is to ensure that moving between destinations in Ghana is as enjoyable as the attractions themselves.
“Tourism isn’t just about the sights. It’s about the experience — and that experience starts the moment a tourist lands in Ghana,” she said. “If transportation is poor, we risk losing visitors and damaging our reputation.”
The Minister also stressed the need for better connectivity, calling on African countries to work together to improve direct flight options within the continent. “Traveling across Africa is expensive and tiring. We need partnerships with countries that have national carriers to make this easier,” she added.
The Fleet Pool Management Service (FPMS) is designed not just as a short-term fix, but as a model for long-term transformation. It will support better driving standards, compliance with national regulations, and overall growth in the tourism ecosystem.
The minister urged other tourism-related businesses — hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions — to also reflect Ghana’s identity in their offerings. “Play Ghanaian music in your hotel lobbies, decorate with local art, and serve Ghanaian food in creative ways. Let tourists feel the culture at every turn.”
She concluded her address by urging stakeholders to embrace innovation and a spirit of service, with Ghana’s development at the forefront. She expressed confidence that, with collective effort, tourism could become a key pillar of the nation’s economic growth.:
“Let’s move forward with innovation in our minds, service in our hearts, and Ghana at the center of it all. Together, we can make tourism the backbone of our national growth” she said.
