The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie is urging the private sector to embed culture and service excellence at the heart of every hospitality experience.

"In every hotel room, every tour vehicle, every restaurant, there must be a sense of who we are," the Minister said at the official launch of the Eagles Hospitality School in Accra. “Every guest we serve is an ambassador and every moment a chance to shape a global perception of Ghana hence the need to train for excellence – not just for jobs.”

The event, which drew leading figures from the hospitality, tourism, and education sectors, marked what the Minister described as “not just the opening of an institution, but the beginning of a movement for service excellence in Ghana.”

Drawing on her personal upbringing in Burma Camp, Hon. Gomashie emphasized the foundational values of discipline, respect, and cultural pride — values she said must guide every interaction within the tourism and hospitality industry. She expressed concern over the fading use of culturally respectful phrases such as “Yes, please,” and simple gestures like standing to greet.

“The true value in tourism is not measured by the size of our attractions alone,” she said. “It is found in the warm smile of a receptionist, the cultural depth of a tour guide, and the memorable encounters that make visitors storytellers when they return home.”

With major cultural events like PANAFEST, Emancipation Day, and the Black Star Experience on the horizon, Hon. Gomashie stressed the urgency of elevating service delivery and deepening cultural identity within every touchpoint of the visitor experience.

“This school must not stand alone,” she stated. “Let it be the heartbeat of a wider movement that celebrates our culture, trains our people, and elevates our place on the world tourism map.”

Founder and Group CEO of the Eagles Hospitality School, Mr. Stephen Asante, explained that the institution was born out of a long-held vision to raise the standard of service delivery in Ghana’s hospitality ecosystem.

“We believe that top-class service shouldn’t be a luxury or imported from abroad,” he said. “Our hotels are being converted into classrooms, where students don’t just learn theory, but gain hands-on experience from day one.”

Stakeholders from institutions such as Labadi Beach Hotel, ASA Bank, and the Ghana Tourism Authority endorsed the initiative, affirming the growing need for practical training and professional discipline across the hospitality value chain.