By Ghana News

Copyright ghanamma

Published on
September 28, 2025

The Green Stay Initiative was started by the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra in an effort to improve sustainability in the hospitality sector. This action has raised the bar for environmentally friendly behavior in Ghana and throughout West Africa. Unveiled on the hotel’s grounds, the Green Stay Initiative emphasizes the growing significance of sustainability in the travel industry and how important such actions are in the battle against climate change.

Key stakeholders from a range of industries, including government representatives, corporate executives, and sustainability specialists, came together at the event. It was evident that they were all committed to a sustainable future for the area’s tourism industry. The program is regarded as a trailblazing step toward a more environmentally conscious hospitality industry that adopts green practices while providing guests with opulent experiences and first-rate service.

Commitment to Sustainability: A Shift in Mindset

The Green Stay Initiative was introduced to foster an eco-conscious hospitality model in Ghana. The General Manager of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra, Isaac Okpoti Adjei, emphasized that sustainability is not merely a trend or a buzzword. Instead, it has become an operational necessity and a moral obligation within the industry. The focus, according to the General Manager, is on redefining the guest experience by merging “conscious luxury” with environmental responsibility.

The hotel has already begun embedding sustainability in its day-to-day operations. This includes the implementation of energy-efficient lighting, the use of smart water systems, and a reduction in food waste. Additionally, local sourcing of ingredients is a key element in Mövenpick Accra’s efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and support local businesses. While these practices represent a solid foundation for the Green Stay Initiative, the hotel management is clear that the full potential of sustainability will only be realized if the entire hospitality ecosystem adopts similar measures.

A Holistic Approach: Beyond the Hotel Walls

The Green Stay Initiative aims to revolutionize the hospitality sector by demonstrating how sustainability should permeate every part of hotel operations and even extend beyond hotel walls. Isaac Okpoti Adjei emphasized that hotels cannot tackle sustainability in isolation. He called for cooperation with suppliers, partners, and local communities to create a more sustainable hospitality industry.

The hotel’s sustainability efforts include aligning with international standards for sustainable sourcing and supporting circular economies. The aim is to shift away from the use of single-use plastic products and encourage the industry to adopt more sustainable practices. In fact, Mövenpick’s parent company, Accor Group, has already eliminated over 50 single-use plastic products in 88% of its properties globally, marking a significant step towards reducing waste in the hospitality sector.

By incorporating sustainable practices into every aspect of their operation, Mövenpick Accra is leading the way in a growing trend of hotels and hospitality businesses incorporating green practices into their business models. The initiative is not just about reducing the hotel’s environmental impact but also about influencing the broader hospitality industry to take similar action.

Government Support for Sustainable Tourism

Mövenpick’s Green Stay Initiative aligns with Ghana’s national development goals, and the event was graced by prominent figures from the Ghanaian government. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, highlighted the importance of private sector leadership in fostering sustainability within the tourism industry. He commended Mövenpick for setting an example of responsible business practices that support the government’s long-term sustainability agenda.

The government of Ghana has already made strides in promoting green initiatives. Measures such as tax incentives for businesses that adopt green technologies, as well as technical support for eco-friendly projects in the hospitality sector, are already in place. Furthermore, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre is offering facilitation for sustainable tourism projects to attract both local and foreign investments in eco-tourism.

These measures are part of a broader effort under the government’s RESET agenda, which focuses on creating a regulatory environment that supports green growth. Among the initiatives outlined are plans to integrate green building standards into all new public infrastructure, promote renewable energy solutions, and deepen alignment with climate adaptation strategies. The government’s commitment to sustainability aligns with Mövenpick’s Green Stay Initiative, creating a platform for collaboration that will help both the private and public sectors meet their shared goals.

The Role of Tourism in Ghana’s Economic Future

Tourism is one of Ghana’s most significant economic sectors, contributing $4.8 billion to the country’s GDP in 2024. As a sector, it is vital that tourism’s growth is not achieved at the expense of the environment. Minister Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, representing the Tourism Minister at the event, emphasized that tourism cannot flourish without clean air, safe water, thriving ecosystems, and well-preserved natural and cultural heritage.

She pointed out that climate change and biodiversity challenges were already having a tangible impact on the country’s tourism sector, citing coastal erosion in Cape Coast and threats to forest reserves like Kakum and Mole. The Green Stay Initiative addresses these concerns by encouraging sustainable tourism practices that safeguard Ghana’s natural beauty and heritage for future generations.

The initiative not only calls for the reduction of the tourism industry’s environmental footprint but also highlights the importance of education and collaboration across all sectors. Mövenpick has committed to holding quarterly workshops and collaborating with policymakers, academic institutions, and other industry partners to build capacity within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sustainable Hospitality in Ghana

As the Green Stay Initiative moves into its next phase, Mövenpick is focused on creating long-term, meaningful impacts in Ghana’s hospitality and tourism industries. With sustainability as a core value, the hotel aims to create lasting change by influencing guest behaviour and industry practices. This will not be achieved through one-off actions but rather through an ongoing commitment to sustainable operations, collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, and continuous education and engagement.

Every small sustainable decision—from reusing towels to sourcing local food—can create lasting positive impacts. The Green Stay Initiative exemplifies how sustainability, when integrated into a hotel’s operational DNA, can drive industry-wide change while providing guests with memorable, responsible luxury experiences.

A major shift in the way sustainable tourism is viewed in West Africa has been brought about by the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra’s Green Stay Initiative. The hotel sets a great example for other hospitality companies to follow with its emphasis on environmentally friendly procedures, operational sustainability, and local collaborations. Ghana’s sustainable hospitality industry appears to have a bright future thanks to government policies, cross-sector collaboration, and a dedication to educating both industry participants and visitors.

Reducing a single hotel’s environmental impact is only one aspect of the Green Stay Initiative. It’s a rallying cry for the hospitality industry as a whole to reevaluate its environmental impact and cooperate for a more sustainable, greener future.

[Image Source: Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts Official Website]