Tour Guides Accused of Undermining Arts Centre Businesses in Accra
Accra, Ghana - August 17, 2025 - A heated dispute has erupted between vendors of artefacts at the Arts Centre in Accra and some tour guides, with the vendors accusing the guides of encroaching on their trade. The vendors claim that some tour guides are doubling as artefact sellers, delivering items directly to tourists at their hotels instead of bringing them to the centre.
The Allegations
According to the vendors, this practice has led to a decline in business at the Arts Centre, pushing potential customers to shop elsewhere. They argue that the tour guides' actions are undermining the centre's mandate to promote, sustain, and develop cultural and artistic excellence. The vendors are concerned that if this practice continues, it could damage the centre's reputation as a vibrant hub for Ghanaian arts and crafts.
Response from Tour Guides
However, the Chairman of the Greater Accra Chapter of the Tour Guides Association (TGA), Elvis Wallis Bruce, has denied the allegations, describing them as "untrue". He questioned how tour guides would know what tourists want without being informed. Another member of the TGA, Nii Ayi Solomon, who has worked as a tour guide for 15 years, stated that they leave tourists to shop on their own at the Arts Centre.
Impact on the Arts Centre
The Arts Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, is a significant platform for Ghanaian artisans to showcase their work. The vendors are worried that the influx of imitation goods, which are cheaper and increasingly preferred by buyers, is detrimental to local arts and crafts. They are calling on the Ministry and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to intervene and stop the imitation of Made-in-Ghana goods.
Concerns about Vendor Practices
Some vendors have also been accused of selling to foreigners at excessively high prices. Charles Kofi Appiah, Chairman of the Traditional Kente, Culture and Adinkra Manufacturers/Sellers Association at the Arts Centre, advised visitors to walk into shops and avoid "goro boys" who act as middlemen in front of the centre. He also suggested that tourists can find similar items at lower prices at other centres, such as the Kumasi Cultural Centre.
Potential Consequences
If the allegations against the tour guides are proven true, it could lead to a significant shift in the way tourism is managed in Ghana. The Arts Centre's reputation and the livelihoods of local artisans are at stake, and authorities may need to take action to protect the interests of all parties involved.
Source – The Mirror
