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Ghanaians spent an estimated GHC 4 billion outside the country in 2023 on travel — money that could have helped build local jobs, fund tourism infrastructure, and energise small businesses across Ghana. The figure, revealed in the Ghana Statistical Service’s 2023 Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS), highlights how much value the country loses each year to outbound travel. According to the report, 470,806 Ghanaians travelled abroad in 2023 for business, funerals, or family visits. Of that group, overnight travellers alone spent about GHC 3.4 billion, while same-day visitors spent GHS 59.8 million, bringing total outbound expenditure to nearly GHC 4 billion. From a societal standpoint, this is more than a set of figures — it’s a reflection of capital flight through travel. Every cedi spent abroad is one not invested in Ghanaian hotels, transport services, artisans, or tour operators. The question that naturally arises is: What could that money have done for Ghana’s economy if it had stayed at home? Jobs and local development forgone Tourism is one of the most labour-intensive industries. A fraction of the GHS 4 billion, if spent domestically, could have created thousands of jobs for young people and women in hospitality, guiding, catering, and craft production. It could have sustained guesthouses, boosted regional transport services, and empowered small tour companies to expand. According to earlier projections by the Ghana Tourism Authority, the sector has the potential to support more than a million jobs by 2027. Retaining even half of the outbound spending locally could accelerate that goal and lift many out of unemployment. The money could also have driven regional growth. Domestic tourism opportunities in the Volta, Western, and Northern regions often suffer from under-investment and poor promotion. Redirecting outbound spending would help these areas develop community lodges, cultural events, and heritage sites — ensuring that the benefits of tourism are spread beyond Accra and Kumasi. Why Ghanaians travel abroad The DOTS report shows that most outbound trips were not for leisure, but for social obligations. Roughly one-third of same-day travellers went for business purposes, and 23 percent for funerals, while the majority of overnight visitors travelled to visit friends and relatives. This trend reveals a cultural reality: Ghanaian mobility is deeply tied to family, work, and community ties, rather than recreation. However, it also exposes weaknesses in domestic tourism. For many travellers, it’s easier or cheaper to cross into Togo, Nigeria, or Côte d’Ivoire than to explore a local resort or attraction. Poor road networks, limited domestic flight options, high prices, and inconsistent service quality discourage local exploration. If Ghana improved its internal tourism infrastructure, affordable transport, and hospitality standards, many of those social or short-break trips could happen within the country, keeping money circulating locally. Policy choices and social accountability The GSS report recommends several policy actions — investments in transport, airports, and hospitality, as well as tax incentives for companies that design domestic and locally-linked tour packages. It also urges development partners to support training and financing for small tourism operators to make the industry more competitive. From a societal point of view, such measures go beyond economics. Domestic tourism is also about national identity, equity, and pride. Spending money at home strengthens communities, promotes Ghanaian culture, and ensures that economic opportunities reach rural regions and marginalized youth. A call for reflection The GHC 4 billion spent abroad in 2023 is a wake-up call. It reflects both the purchasing power of Ghanaians and the underperformance of local tourism. The task ahead is clear: create an environment where Ghanaians choose to “See Ghana First” because it is affordable, accessible, and enjoyable. As the report notes, its findings aim to guide the creation of Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account, which will measure tourism’s true contribution to GDP. But beyond the numbers lies a social challenge — to turn travel from a channel of capital outflow into a driver of inclusive growth at home. If Ghana can capture even half of what now flows abroad, the nation could transform its tourism landscape, create sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen the fabric of its communities. Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra). 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