GTA clamps down on illegal hostel facilities

By Konrad Kodjo Djaisi

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has begun an enforcement exercise to clamp down on private hostels that are operating illegally
The exercise, which is carried out every year throughout the country, is meant to enforce standards in the tourism sector. It began about a week ago, and so far 44 units of hostels have been affected.

Speaking to B&FT, the Chief Quality Assurance Officer of the GTA, George Nkrumah Ansere, explained that before a facility is closed a letter is served reminding or cautioning operators to regularise their operations -- paying their registration and licence fees as the case may be -- before a stated deadline.

The registration fee is a one-time payment that is paid after the necessary documentation has been certified and approved by the GTA, while the licence fees are annual payments made to renew the operational licence.

Giving a breakdown, Mr. Nkrumah Ansere said the project registration cost is GH¢800 for a hostel facility with 1-20 beds, while hostels with 21-50 beds pay GH¢1,500, and those with 500 beds and above pay GH¢5,000. Operational licences are GH¢100 for the basic category, GH¢500 for standard, and GH¢3,000 for executive facilities.

According to Mr. Ansere, some of the affected hostels in this year’s exercise had been notified as far back as 2008; and while some complied, others just gave a verbal indication to comply. Hence, after a period of dialogue without any effort to pay, the Authority believes the law must be enforced.
When the facilities are closed down, operators then have to pay a penalty of 100 percent of the licence fee in addition to the amount owed. New unregistered facilities pay a penalty in addition to a registration fee.

Mr. Ansere said in registering hostels certain requirements are to be met, including producing a business operational licence, a fire certificate to ensure that fire safety precautions are taken, and a police report indicating the operator has no criminal record. In addition, an environmental health report must be produced to ensure proper sanitary requirements are upheld.

He explained that after the clampdown on hostels, the GTA will proceed to the informal sector, where drinking bars and “chop bars” (local restaurants) operate, to check their particulars. Private movie operators will similarly be inspected to ensure compliance with tourism regulations.

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