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    Accra, GHANA: A woman holds 03 July 2007 in Accra a wad new currency, the new cedi, that Ghana put in circulation that day, although the old money will still be valid until the end of the year. Currently, the cedi is one of the least valued currencies in Africa: 9000 cedis equal one US dollar.   Ernest Addison, head of research at the Bank of Ghana, assured in November 2006 that the changeover was not a revaluation nor devaluation, and will not affect foreign exchange.  AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

    Local currency crosses ¢10 to one dollar mark on retail market

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    PURC justifies upward review of utility tariffs

    Emergency MPC meeting: Goldman Sachs projects 200 basis points hike in policy rate

    MTN Ghana introduces voucher distribution denomination change to prevent price disparity

    BoG, UG partner to improve research in Ghana’s financial sector

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    VEPEAG, GAVEX partner to boost vegetable production, exports in Ghana

    VADUG members resist implementation of Customs Amendment Act

    Cost of credit to further go up as Bank of Ghana raises policy rate to 22%

    Emergency MPC meeting: Goldman Sachs projects 200 basis points hike in policy rate

    MTN Ghana introduces voucher distribution denomination change to prevent price disparity

    BoG, UG partner to improve research in Ghana’s financial sector

    BoG, EOCO deepen collaboration to build robust financial sector

    Cedi Depreciation: Government urged to enforce laws on pricing in dollars

    Assistant Director, Fintech and Innovation, BoG, Clarence Blay

    E-cedi will not affect MoMo business – Bank of Ghana

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    AUDA-NEPAD holds workshop for Youth and Media on AU Year of Nutrition

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    Accra, GHANA: A woman holds 03 July 2007 in Accra a wad new currency, the new cedi, that Ghana put in circulation that day, although the old money will still be valid until the end of the year. Currently, the cedi is one of the least valued currencies in Africa: 9000 cedis equal one US dollar.   Ernest Addison, head of research at the Bank of Ghana, assured in November 2006 that the changeover was not a revaluation nor devaluation, and will not affect foreign exchange.  AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

    Local currency crosses ¢10 to one dollar mark on retail market

    VEPEAG, GAVEX partner to boost vegetable production, exports in Ghana

    VADUG members resist implementation of Customs Amendment Act

    AUDA-NEPAD holds workshop for Youth and Media on AU Year of Nutrition

    Cost of credit to further go up as Bank of Ghana raises policy rate to 22%

    PURC justifies upward review of utility tariffs

    Emergency MPC meeting: Goldman Sachs projects 200 basis points hike in policy rate

    MTN Ghana introduces voucher distribution denomination change to prevent price disparity

    BoG, UG partner to improve research in Ghana’s financial sector

  • Business
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    VEPEAG, GAVEX partner to boost vegetable production, exports in Ghana

    VADUG members resist implementation of Customs Amendment Act

    Cost of credit to further go up as Bank of Ghana raises policy rate to 22%

    Emergency MPC meeting: Goldman Sachs projects 200 basis points hike in policy rate

    MTN Ghana introduces voucher distribution denomination change to prevent price disparity

    BoG, UG partner to improve research in Ghana’s financial sector

    BoG, EOCO deepen collaboration to build robust financial sector

    Cedi Depreciation: Government urged to enforce laws on pricing in dollars

    Assistant Director, Fintech and Innovation, BoG, Clarence Blay

    E-cedi will not affect MoMo business – Bank of Ghana

  • TECHNOLOGY

    MTN Ghana introduces voucher distribution denomination change to prevent price disparity

    We’re ready to re-engage gov’t on acquisition of Vodafone shares – Telecel

    New deadline for SIM re-registration too short – MoMo agents association

    Extend SIM card re-registration exercise to January 2023 – MoMo agents

    Vodafone agrees sell stake in Ghana’s business to Telecel

    Telecoms Chamber and IIPGH advocate sustained coding education

    IIPGH to enter coding education partnership with Telecoms Chamber

    PayAngel joins Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub

    Node 8, HTU hold first edition of Node X in Ho

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    AUDA-NEPAD holds workshop for Youth and Media on AU Year of Nutrition

    Agribusiness entrepreneurs must take advantage of AfCFTA – ADB MD.

    Inflation, debt, and forex crisis is pushing many African economies to the brink – IMF warns

    African countries that could follow Sri Lanka into economic chaos

    Africa’s internet economy to cross $180 billion by 2025: Report

    Regional economic cooperation needed to enhance Africa’s competitiveness – Bawumia

    Ivory Coast is set to receive $26.1 billion worth of development finance from 4 lenders, the EU and France

    Gulf central banks, Bank of England raise policy rates after Fed hike

    US Fed meets inflation surge with 75bp hike

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Hotels hopeful of boom in business when air borders are reopened

byNerteley Nettey
August 20, 2020
in Business, Top Stories, Tourism
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The continuous closure of Ghana’s borders as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19 is still taking its toll on some hotels in the country.

Despite the easing of some COVID-19 induced restrictions on social gathering, some businesses in the hospitality sector in the country say they are still recording low patronage.

The COVID-19 pandemic has grounded many businesses globally and forced others to run at half capacity with millions of people rendered jobless.

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The devastation to economic activities is without boundaries as almost every sector of the economy across the world has taken a hit.

One of the hardest-hit sectors is the tourism and hospitality sector.

In Ghana, the sector is projected to create about a million jobs while contributing about 6.2 percent to Ghana’s GDP.

Most of the income realised from the sector mainly comes from foreigners who visit the country.

However, the sector has experienced a significant drop in demand and a surge in job losses.

On May 31, 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the gradual easing of the ban on public gatherings which had been in place since March 2020.

Per the directives, hotels could accommodate conferences, parties, wedding receptions and other corporate meetings with a maximum of one hundred people.

This is, however, subject to the strict adherence to all the safety protocols like keeping a safe distance of metres, washing of hands with soap under running water, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and the mandatory wearing of nose masks.

But three months into the announcement, Citi Business News can report that not much activity is taking place at most hotels within the country.

Upon arrival at the Oak Plaza Hotel, a Citi Business News team was greeted with a virtually empty car park.

The busy swimming pool area was also empty.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Rooms Division Manager for Oak Plaza, Daniel Dadson said nothing has changed in connection with business at the hotel.

“Generally, we see movement but it isn’t as it used to be. There hasn’t been any significant change, especially since some restrictions were eased. The closure of the borders is a key factor. Domestically, people hardly come to purchase rooms or even eat at the restaurant,” he said.

The situation was not so different at the Kempinski Hotel.

The General Manager of the hotel, Manish Nambiar, also stated that business has reduced drastically since countries started closing their borders due to COVID-19.

“The closure of the airport has greatly affected us. We have taken a big hit in terms of the number of people who visit our rooms and the bar. The occupancy rate has decreased from 80% to single-digit numbers,” he said.

But for Robert Mensah, General Manager Eusbett Hotel in Sunyani, business has been gradually picking up after the easing of the restriction.

“We did not close down. We considered our staff and our suppliers and decided to stay in business and break even that is, we do not make profits but at least we try to stay afloat. And it as proven to be worthwhile,” he said.

However, the situation was different at the African Regent Hotel.

Speaking to Citi Business News, Sales and Marketing Manager, Marian Darkwah, stated that the hotel was closed for renovation.

“The reason we are closed at the moment is because of our renovation. But initially, we closed down because of COVID and the fact that guests were not coming in as usual. So sometime in March, we decided to take advantage of the situation and renovate the place,” she noted.

The situation was the same at the Fiesta Royale Hotel but at the time of Citi Business News’ visit, there were no managers to speak on record.

It will be recalled that, President Akufo-Addo during his 15th address to the nation on Sunday, stated that the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., had been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain the country’s readiness to reopen the country’s air border to international flights.

He stated that the outcome of that exercise would determine whether the country’s air border could be reopened by the 1st of September.

“I know many still ask when our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport, will be open. Under my instructions, the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., have been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain our readiness to reopen our airport. I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger that arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way, and determine when we can reopen our border by air. I am hoping that, by God’s grace, we will be ready to do so by 1st September,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Following this announcement, there appears to be hope for the hotels as they are putting measures in place to receive guests.

 

 

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Accra, GHANA: A woman holds 03 July 2007 in Accra a wad new currency, the new cedi, that Ghana put in circulation that day, although the old money will still be valid until the end of the year. Currently, the cedi is one of the least valued currencies in Africa: 9000 cedis equal one US dollar.   Ernest Addison, head of research at the Bank of Ghana, assured in November 2006 that the changeover was not a revaluation nor devaluation, and will not affect foreign exchange.  AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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