The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has highlighted her more than 25 years of experience in tourism, hospitality and corporate event management amid an administrative dispute with her deputy, Abeiku Santana.

In a statement addressing her professional background, Houadjeto recounted the major projects and personalities she had worked with over the years, insisting that her experience in the industry should not be overlooked.

She said her career had involved organising major corporate events, exhibitions, marketing programmes, investment forums and business-to-business sessions, as well as publishing magazines focused on property and construction.

“I’ve spent over 25 years running corporate events, handling everything from exhibitions and marketing to investment forums and B2B sessions and everything in-between. I also published magazines on property and construction,” she said.

Houadjeto also recalled being part of the team that brought American singer Akon to Ghana for the first time.

Although she studied journalism and project management before obtaining a master’s degree in governance and leadership, she said her natural interest in hospitality eventually led her into the industry.

“I’ve always had a natural flair for hospitality, even though I studied journalism, project management, and later got a master’s in governance and leadership. I eventually landed a job in the hospitality industry and shifted my focus from tours to hospitality and event management,” she added.

The GTA CEO further mentioned her experience managing high-profile visitors to Ghana, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Akbar Muhammad, as well as working with African American associations whose members travelled to Ghana for the first time.

She also claimed that her company was the first to host a Princess Cruises ship in Ghana, adding that her contribution to the hospitality sector had focused on its growth and professionalisation.

Before her involvement in tourism and hospitality, Houadjeto worked with event management company Charterhouse, where she handled client services, helped organise the maiden Ghana Music Awards and managed local and international accounts.

Her account of her professional journey comes amid a public administrative disagreement involving her deputy, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, popularly known as Abeiku Santana.

In a petition dated October 22, 2026, and addressed to Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Santana reportedly complained about difficulties accessing the CEO for urgent operational consultations and obtaining key approvals.

He said repeated attempts to schedule meetings through her secretary or personal assistant often resulted in him being informed that she was unavailable.

Although Houadjeto’s account focused largely on her professional experience, she also suggested that gender could be a factor in the criticism surrounding her leadership.

“It’s disheartening to see that after all these years, some men still can’t stand having a woman lead an organization. Unbelievable. SMH,” she said.