HOTCATT Introduces Customer Service as Core Course at Orientation for 45 New Entrants
Accra, Ghana — The Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT) has oriented 45 new entrants, outlining a structured six-month training programme while introducing customer service as a compulsory course for all students to strengthen service delivery across Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The Ag. Executive Director of HOTCATT, Dr. Eric Afornorpe, announced curriculum enhancement during the session, emphasizing that embedding customer service as a core subject is a strategic step toward improving standards within the industry nationwide.
The orientation covered key areas of study including hotel management, kitchen skills, front desk operations, tour guiding, housekeeping services, and food and beverage management. Students were also briefed on what to expect from the institute’s intensive six-month programme, which comprises three months of classroom instruction followed by three months of practical and field experience.
Dr. Afornorpe used the opportunity to commend the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, for her sustained efforts in supporting the institute and addressing its operational challenges. He further educated the entrants on the broader tourism sector and its key agencies, positioning HOTCATT as a critical training hub under the Ministry.
He also disclosed ongoing plans to introduce a technical and vocational skills curriculum tailored for students pursuing careers in tourism and hospitality, aimed at enhancing employability and entrepreneurial capacity within the sector.
Encouraging active participation, Dr. Afornorpe urged students to engage openly with instructors and seek guidance on programme choices to maximize their learning outcomes.
Some of the new entrants, including professionals already managing tour companies and hotels, raised concerns about government support mechanisms available to industry players. In response, the Executive Director assured them of existing support systems, particularly for women entrepreneurs, and pledged guidance to help them access these opportunities.
Instructors across the various disciplines provided detailed briefings on course expectations, while the Master of Ceremonies Amos Deoci Fudugah stressed the importance of consistent attendance as a prerequisite for certification and improved job prospects.
HOTCATT operates as an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, playing a pivotal role in building skilled human capital for Ghana’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.
Source: Public Relations Unit- MoTCCA
