Tensions have emerged between the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, and her deputy in charge of Marketing and Special Duties, Gilbert Abeiku Santana Aggrey, over concerns about access to the CEO for urgent official discussions.
The disagreement follows a complaint by Mr Aggrey that he has been facing difficulties reaching the CEO for timely consultations on matters requiring her attention.
However, Ms Houadjeto has rejected the claims, insisting that her office remains accessible to senior management and that her deputy’s account does not accurately reflect the situation.
In a letter dated October 24, 2026, addressed to the Chairperson of the GTA Board of Directors, the CEO expressed disappointment over concerns raised by Mr Aggrey in an earlier letter dated October 22, 2026.
“I am surprised and disappointed that the letter does not reflect the true state of my availability to you as my Deputy Chief Executive Officer,” she stated.
Ms Houadjeto maintained that she operates an open-door policy, particularly for executive and senior management staff, to encourage communication and ensure the smooth running of the Authority.
She acknowledged that effective communication and timely consultations were important to the work of the Authority but disagreed with suggestions that her availability had made it difficult for her deputy to carry out his duties.
According to her, the responsibilities of the Deputy CEO require regular consultations and prompt decisions, especially on issues involving operations, finances, strategy and stakeholder relations.
She said any communication challenges that could delay official work needed to be addressed in the interest of the Authority.
CEO Proposes Measures to Improve Communication
Despite disputing her deputy’s concerns, Ms Houadjeto outlined five measures aimed at improving communication and coordination between their offices.
She proposed regular meetings between the CEO and Deputy CEO to discuss departmental priorities, ongoing assignments, operational challenges and matters requiring management decisions.
The CEO also called for a clear procedure for handling urgent issues that require immediate attention when scheduled meetings cannot take place.
Another proposal involves strengthening coordination through the Executive Office to ensure that meeting requests are properly communicated, acknowledged and scheduled according to their urgency.
Ms Houadjeto further suggested clearer guidelines on the responsibilities of both offices, approval procedures and matters that require her direct involvement.
She also called for regular management meetings to improve cooperation, reduce delays and ensure that decisions are carried out effectively.
According to her, these measures would not only address the concerns raised by Mr Aggrey but also strengthen the Authority’s overall management and decision-making processes.
CEO Calls for Cooperation
Ms Houadjeto reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining a professional and productive working relationship with her deputy and other members of management.
She stressed that differences in schedules, administrative procedures or daily responsibilities should not interfere with the Authority’s work.
The CEO also assured the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the GTA Board Chairperson that management remained committed to resolving internal challenges through dialogue and established administrative procedures.
She acknowledged Mr Aggrey’s contribution to the Authority and expressed confidence that both offices could continue working together to achieve their shared objectives.
To move the process forward, Ms Houadjeto proposed an early meeting with her deputy to agree on how the new communication arrangements would be implemented.
The disagreement has drawn attention to communication and coordination challenges within the Authority’s top management.
While Mr Aggrey maintains that delays in accessing the CEO have affected consultations on urgent matters, Ms Houadjeto insists that her availability has been misrepresented.
The proposed measures are expected to provide a clearer system for handling urgent requests, improving communication and preventing unnecessary delays in management decisions.
The development comes as the GTA continues its work to promote Ghana’s tourism industry, making effective cooperation among its leadership important to the implementation of its programmes and activities.
