On 8th February 2026, HOTCATT welcomed representatives from the United States Embassy in Ghana for a meeting at the Front Office Practical Room. The session focused on exploring collaboration opportunities, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting U.S. products within the hospitality training sector.
The A.g Director of HOTCATT Dr. Eric Kofi Afornorpe opened with an overview of the institution’s mandate and operations, noting challenges such as inadequate training facilities and a shortage of teachers. He explained that HOTCATT runs three cohorts annually and also conducts mobile training programs across different locations.
The U.S. representatives shared their focus on promoting business and building professional capacity. They expressed interest in whether U.S. restaurants in Ghana engage HOTCATT-trained students and proposed several collaborative initiatives. These included joint training sessions to address industry gaps, incorporating U.S. products into HOTCATT’s training menus, inviting HOTCATT to prepare dishes at Embassy events, and clarifying the institution’s “hotel model,” which the A.g Director linked to the Kenya model.
Key questions were raised about whether HOTCATT had conducted research on Ghanaian hotels using U.S. products and how the U.S. would benefit from the collaboration. These points were noted for further exploration.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing strong interest in working together. Areas such as capacity building, product promotion, and joint training were identified as promising avenues. Further discussions will define the structure, mutual benefits, and implementation plan for this partnership.
