Adopt eco-friendly practices or be left behind - Minister to hotels
The Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has challenged hotels and hospitality businesses in the country to embrace sustainable practices or risk losing competitiveness in the global tourism market.
“Sustainability is no longer an option. It is a necessity across all sectors. Hotels and hospitality businesses that embrace them can reduce operational costs, improve resilience, strengthen their brands and enhance competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-conscious global tourism market,” he said.
Mr Adjei said this last Friday at the launch of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel’s Green Stay Initiative. The initiative is on the theme: “The Future of Sustainable Hospitality.”
The launch brought together sustainability experts, policymakers and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for responsible travel, waste reduction and energy efficiency in the country’s hospitality industry.
Policies
Mr Adjei stated that the government had put in place strong regulatory frameworks, including the Environmental Protection Agency Act, the National Building Regulations, the Ghana Building Code and the Tourism Act to guide eco-friendly operations.
Beyond regulation, he said, the government was also providing incentives such as duty waivers on renewable energy equipment, investment support from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and capacity-building programmes with the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Commission to help hotels adopt green technologies.
“These measures are not only about compliance; they are about creating value and resilience across the sector,” he stressed.
He commended Mövenpick for spearheading the Green Stay Initiative, stating that the hotel had demonstrated leadership that others must emulate.
Movenpick’s leadership
The General Manager of Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Isaac Okpoti Adjei, said the hospitality industry by its very nature touches every aspect of the environment — from the energy consumed and water used to the food served and waste generated.
He mentioned that Accor, the hotel’s parent group, was already redefining global standards, with 5,700 hotels in 110 countries actively integrating sustainability.
Mr Adjei said 80 per cent of all the hotels had eliminated more than 50 single-use plastic products, noting that sustainability was not just about environmental protection but also about business survival.
He added that the group was developing low-carbon recipes, increasing vegetarian options on menus and collaborating with local farmers to build stronger food value chains.
“We work hand in hand with communities to preserve ecosystems, protect cultural heritage and promote authentic experiences that benefit both visitors and locals, including right here in Ghana,” he said.
Highlighting local initiatives, Mr Adjei said Movenpick Ambassador Hotel had adopted energy-efficient lighting, water conservation measures and partnerships with local suppliers.
