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The Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) has graduated 195 students who pursued various courses in hospitality at the institution.
The graduates undertook courses in front office skills, kitchen skills, tour guiding skills, food and beverage services, housekeeping, conference banqueting, event management and restaurant management.
The ceremony, held at the National Theatre in Accra, was on the theme, “Skills for a sustainable hospitality future”.
It saw the inauguration of the HOTCATT Alumni Association, which aimed at strengthening networks and positioning graduates as ambassadors of the institute, and the launch of a new Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and Short Certificate Programmes.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso North Constituency, Yussif Issaka Jajah, urged the graduates to uphold excellence and cultural pride in their professional journeys.
He said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the CTVET, was committed to aligning HOTCATT’s programmes with national and international standards to ensure quality service delivery.
He said the government was also working closely with the GTA and CTVET to introduce mandatory training and certification for industry professionals under the Ghana Tourism Act and the TVET Act.
The deputy minister also said efforts were underway to mobilise resources through public-private partnerships and donor support grants to upgrade HOTCATT’s facilities, including modern kitchens, demonstration restaurants, smart classrooms and student accommodation.
“Ghana has become a premier destination on the continent, and this vision begins with the people you meet here, the standards we uphold, and the experiences we offer to every visitor,” he said.
He further commended HOTCATT for consistently producing skilled personnel despite operating from temporary premises.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, also commended HOTCATT for producing skilled professionals who contribute to Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry.
She emphasised that sustainability in tourism went beyond environmental protection to include resilience, professionalism and cultural identity.
“To our graduates, today you step into the world not just as certificate holders but as custodians of Ghana’s hospitality brand. Be proud of your training and carry the HOTCATT name with dignity,” she said.
Additionally, Ms Houadjeto said the GTA had embarked on new initiatives, including nationwide training programmes for frontline staff and tour guides, as well as a collaboration with a cruise company to train and place 3,000 young people on international cruise ships, to ensure standards, build capacity and position the country as a competitive and world-class destination.
The Acting Director of HOTCATT, Eric Kofi Afornorpe, highlighted the institute’s achievements since its establishment in 1991, as it had trained thousands of professionals locally and abroad.
He said HOTCATT had developed a five-year strategic plan (2025–2029) focusing on programme development, mobile and on-demand training, infrastructure improvement and TVET-accredited competency-based training.
“We are positioning HOTCATT as a centre of excellence for hospitality, culinary and tourism training. With partnerships from stakeholders, including the Ghana Hotel Association and the Chef’s Association of Ghana, we will ensure professional certification, testing and mandatory training for all industry players,” Mr Afornorpe said.
