GTA CEO and deputy’s clash sends the wrong signal; both parties should resolve their differences – Fiifi Boafo

Former Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, has called for an immediate resolution of the reported communication dispute between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, and her deputy, Abeiku Santana.

Speaking on Joy News on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mr Boafo questioned the circumstances that led to the deputy CEO raising concerns about his access to the chief executive with the sector minister.

He described Abeiku Santana as a pleasant person who relates well with others and expressed concern about the situation, which he said sends the wrong signal about the authority’s leadership.

“I am wondering what is happening at the GTA that the woman doesn’t want to see Abeiku, to the extent that you write to the minister,” he said.

Mr Boafo indicated that the matter required urgent attention to ensure both officials could work together effectively. He added that if the deputy CEO’s concerns were justified, steps should be taken to address them. However, if the problem was also coming from the deputy CEO, the chief executive had the responsibility to address that as well.

His comments follow a letter dated October 22, 2026, in which Abeiku Santana, the GTA Deputy CEO in charge of Marketing and Special Duties, asked the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, to intervene over what he described as recurring difficulties in securing meetings with the CEO.

In the letter, Mr Santana explained that he had repeatedly requested meetings through the CEO’s secretary or personal assistant but was informed that she was unavailable.

He said the situation had made it difficult to obtain timely guidance, approvals and decisions needed to perform his duties, sometimes resulting in delays in operations, stakeholder engagements and the implementation of key assignments.

He stressed that his intention was not to make a personal complaint but to draw attention to a communication gap that required attention in the interest of effective management and institutional efficiency.

However, in a response dated October 24, 2026, addressed to the GTA Board Chairperson, Ms Houadjeto expressed surprise and disappointment over the concerns raised by her deputy, insisting that she operated an open-door policy, particularly for executive and senior management officers.

The CEO acknowledged the importance of effective communication and timely decision-making and proposed measures to strengthen coordination between the two offices.

These included scheduled executive consultations, a clear procedure for escalating urgent matters, improved coordination of meeting requests, clearer delegation of responsibilities and regular engagement among members of the executive management team.

She proposed an early meeting with her deputy to agree on practical arrangements for implementing the measures.

By: Jacob Aggrey