The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) officially launched the Ghana Tourism Report 2024 at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC) on Thursday, July 3.

The event, themed “Growth and Sustainability,” brought together key stakeholders from the tourism industry, government officials, and other players to discuss the sector’s progress and future plans.

The report highlights Ghana’s rich history and stunning natural beauty, showcasing the country’s popular tourist sites that continue to attract both local and international visitors.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park recorded the highest visits of 333,233, followed by Kakum National Park (Canopy Walkway) which had 183, 757 visits.

 

 

See the list below:

1. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park – 333,233

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, once the Old Polo Grounds, is where Ghana’s independence was declared in 1957. Renovated into a world-class site, it welcomed 333,233 visitors in 2024—honouring the legacy of Osagyefo and Ghana’s freedom journey

2. Kakum National Park (Canopy Walkway) – 183,757

Kakum National Park in the Central Region boasts Africa’s only rainforest canopy walkway—350m long, linking 7 treetops. With forest elephants, rare birds & UNESCO status, it welcomed 183,757 visitors in 2024. A true adventure in the treetops.

3. Bunso Arboretum – 155,1

Tucked in the Eastern Region, Bunso Arboretum is a 165-hectare forest reserve home to 135 tree species, miracle plants, and over 100 bird species. Its 280m-long canopy walk now draws huge crowds. In 2024, it welcomed 155,149 visitors.

4. Kumasi Zoo – 133,954

Located in the heart of Kumasi, the Kumasi Zoo is a vibrant sanctuary where lions, primates, birds & more live together. A symbol of harmony between humans and wildlife, the zoo welcomed 133,954 visitors in 2024. A must-visit for nature and culture lovers.

5. Cape Coast Castle – 120,242

Cape Coast Castle, once a hub of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, began as a Portuguese lodge in 1555. Rebuilt by Swedes, Dutch & British, it now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2024, 120,242 people visited this solemn symbol of Ghana’s colonial past.

6. Manhyia Palace Museum – 106,100

Located in Kumasi, the Manhyia Palace Museum—former royal residence turned museum in 1995—offers a rich look into Asante history, kingship, and culture. Home to royal regalia and artefacts, it welcomed 106,100 visitors in 2024. A must-see for heritage lovers.

7. Elmina Castle – 87,691

Elmina Castle, aka St George’s Castle, is the oldest European building south of the Sahara and a poignant UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in 1482, its dungeons and museum draw visitors into Ghana’s complex past. In 2024, it saw 87,691 guests exploring its historic walls.

8. Accra Zoo – 83,953

Nestled in Achimota Forest just outside Accra, Accra Zoo is a peaceful wildlife retreat with lions, monkeys, crocodiles, birds, and more. With fresh air, fun activities, guided tours, and conservation programs, it welcomed 83,953 visitors in 2024.

9. Shai Hills Resource Reserve – 67,881

Just 54km from Accra along the Akosombo highway, Shai Hills offers a wild escape with baboons, antelopes, zebras, and stunning rocky landscapes. Established in 1971, this 51km² reserve drew 67,881 visitors in 2024. A perfect blend of nature and history.

10. Aburi Botanical Gardens – 52,330

With its cool mountain breeze, historic trees planted by royalty, and vibrant flora, Aburi Botanical Gardens offers a timeless escape. Located 36km from Accra, it welcomed 52,330 visitors in 2024 and remains one of Ghana’s top tourist gems.

Images from the Huangshan mountain park in Anhui province on Saturday April 4 showed thousands of people crammed together, many wearing face masks, eager to experience the great outdoors after months of travel restrictions and strict lockdown measures.

Such was the rush to get into the popular tourist spot, that at 7.48 a.m., authorities took the unusual step of issuing a notice declaring that the park had reached its 20,000 person daily capacity, and would not be accepting any more visitors, according to state media Global Times.

Meanwhile in Shanghai, the famous Bund waterfront was once again packed with shoppers and tourists, after weeks of being near deserted. Many of the city’s restaurants that were shuttered only days ago also appeared to be doing a brisk trade, with several requiring reservations to enter.

A similar story played out in the capital Beijing, with locals flocking to the city’s parks and open spaces.

The abrupt return to apparent normality comes more than three months after the virus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The outbreak, which has since spread around the world infecting more than a million people, saw much of China brought to a near standstill in an effort to contain transmissions.

At its peak, thousands of new cases were recorded in China everyday. However, in recent weeks the rate of infection has slowed significantly. On Monday, China reported just 39 new cases, all but one of which were imported. To date, China has recorded 82,641 cases and 3,335 deaths.

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But while the government is slowly relaxing restrictions, Chinese health experts have urged the public to continue to practice caution.

Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Health Times on Thursday that China had not seen the end of the epidemic.

“China is not near the end, but has entered a new stage. With the global epidemic raging, China has not reached the end,” he said.

Too much, too soon?

With the number of new infections in China reportedly falling, the government has tentatively begun efforts to restart the country’s manufacturing and service industries.

The collapse in activity has affected every sector of the country’s economy, leading to concerns of long term damage.

In recent weeks, however, there have been signs that the government has been wary of opening up too quickly and sparking a second wave of infections in the country.

Plans to re-open movie cinemas were canceled in late March, less than two weeks after they had been told to restart, according to state media. While numerous tourist attractions in Shanghai were open for just 10 days before they were shut again on March 31.

How Chinese businesses are adjusting to coronavirus outbreak 01:25

After pictures of the crowds at Huangshan emerged on social media, the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, issued a stern reprimand on social media warning tourists: “Do not gather!”

In a commentary published on the newspaper’s website, one opinion writer said while it was understandable people would want to get out after being shut up in quarantine, now was not the time to stop being “vigilant.”

“If there are asymptomatic carriers present during large-scale gatherings, the consequences would be severe,” the article said.

According to the paper, Huangshan has since announced it will stop receiving tourists.

Crowds gather in Beijing to celebrate the Qingming Festival on April 6, after weeks of coronavirus fears.

Third wave

Concerns around whether China is relaxing its coronavirus restrictions too soon have led Hong Kong experts and authorities to warn of the possibility of a “third wave” of infections in the city.

Speaking to local journalists Sunday, Hong Kong epidemiologist Yuen Kwok-yung said that there could be a “new wave” of cases in mainland China, off the back of imported infections from Europe and the US.

“So in Hong Kong, we might have a third wave of cases coming from the mainland after a second wave …The epidemic is still serious in the society. At this stage, it is still not optimistic. What worries me the most is inadequate testing on patients with mild symptoms, which prevents us from cutting off the chain of transmission,” he said.

The global financial hub is still trying to contain a second wave of imported cases after returning citizens and expatriates from Europe and the United Kingdom led to a new outbreak in late March.

In just under two weeks, the number of local infections has risen from 317 to almost 900.

The convenor of Hong Kong’s Executive Council, Bernard Chan, told public broadcaster RTHK Sunday that the city’s government still had stricter measures it could bring in to contain the coronavirus epidemic.

Such measures could include restricting restaurants to “take-out only” or even a citywide lockdown.

“It could also risk spreading panic but we have to accept that it may be necessary if the alternative is the risk of something worse,” he said.