Kumasi: Mr. Frederick Adjei-Rudolph, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has expressed disappointment about the decline in the quality of standards of some budget hotels in the region. He attributed the causes of the fallen standards to the neglect of facilities by management, appointment of unqualified staff to manage these facilities, and poor maintenance culture.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adjei-Rudolph discussed the performance of the accommodation industry in the region, noting that while the GTA is mandated to ensure that accommodation facilities meet operating standards, the contributions of facility managers are crucial. He observed that some managers meet the minimum requirements for licensing, but many others operate under poor and unhygienic conditions. Some facilities, he noted, are in such poor condition that they are unfit for operation, although others are willing to address defects when notified.
Mr. Adjei-Rudolph highlighted that the standard requirements for all accommodation facilities are detailed in the Registration and Licensing of Accommodation Regulations L.I. 2239 of 2016. Basic requirements for budget hotels include security measures such as gates, fence walls, and burglar-proof windows. Additionally, hotels must have a well-appointed reception, functional kitchen, dining area, wooden beds, and a washroom for every room. In cases where washrooms are outside the rooms, two rooms may share one washroom, which must be fully equipped with necessary facilities.
He further emphasized the importance of bright lighting, opaque curtains, fans, armchairs, writing desks, chairs, and full-length dressing mirrors in the rooms. Mr. Adjei-Rudolph expressed dissatisfaction with guests who patronize hotels not meeting legal standards and advised them to check for operational licenses issued by the GTA and their expiration dates, as these licenses are renewed annually.
He encouraged guests to inspect rooms before booking to ensure satisfaction and urged citizens to support the GTA by reporting facilities that do not meet expected standards or operate illegally. Mr. Adjei-Rudolph also called on facility managers to ensure compliance with standards to avoid issues during the GTA's enforcement exercises, advising unlicensed facilities to register with the GTA for legal operation.