Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, better known as Santana, has formally requested the intervention of the Tourism Minister to address ongoing challenges in accessing the Authority’s CEO, Maame Efua Houadjeto. In a letter dated Thursday, 22 October 2026, the letter was addressed to Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
Abeiku explained that the difficulty in securing meetings with the CEO has hampered his ability to obtain timely guidance, approvals and decisions essential for his responsibilities in domestic tourism, special events and marketing. He noted that on several occasions he had to request meetings through the CEO’s secretary or personal assistant, only to be told that she was unavailable.
While acknowledging the demands on the CEO’s schedule, Mr Aggrey said the situation has led to delays in operations, stakeholder engagements and the implementation of key assignments. He stressed that his concerns are not a personal complaint but a call to address a communication gap that he believes undermines effective management and institutional efficiency.
In his letter, he requested the Minister’s intervention, with the Board Chairperson’s knowledge, to establish a more effective communication and consultation arrangement between the CEO and his office, especially for urgent official matters. Despite the concerns raised, Mr Aggrey reaffirmed his commitment to working professionally with the CEO and the Authority’s management team to achieve the Ministry’s objectives and strengthen the performance of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
President John Dramani Mahama appointed Abeiku Santana as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority in February 2025 following the National Democratic Congress’s assumption of office on 7 January 2025. Mr Santana is a broadcaster, tourism advocate and entrepreneur, currently CEO of Kaya Tours Ghana Limited, and holds master’s degrees in Tourism Management from the University of Cape Coast and in Marketing Strategy from the University of Ghana Business School.
