During the German colonial period (1884–1914), the northern fringes of what is now Ghana—including parts of the Volta Region—were administered as Togoland. However, accommodation infrastructure was rudimentary. Most lodging consisted of simple inns, taverns, or rest stations built by Europeans—primarily imported for traders, colonial administrators, and missionaries. These early establishments offered basic food and shelter but were few and far between, oriented more toward logistical necessity than tourism
When Ghana gained independence in 1957 under President Kwame Nkrumah, there was a deliberate push to develop hospitality infrastructure across the country. The government created the State Hotels Corporation in 1961, building hotels and catering rest houses in regional capitals—including places like Tamale and Bolgatanga (for the broader northern corridor). Facilities included the Ambassador Hotel (Accra), Star Hotel, Continental Hotel, Meridian Hotel, Atlantic Hotel, City Hotel (Kumasi), and Catering Rest Houses in Bolgatanga/Tamale—spreading state-run accommodation equitably.
However, demand and maintenance declined between 1977 and 1986 during Ghana’s period of instability. Many state-run lodgings deteriorated, some collapsed, and the sector stagnated.
From 1987 onward, a period of rejuvenation began. The government began divesting state hotels, and liberalization encouraged private and foreign investment. This led to a more competitive and varied hospitality sector, with private hotels and guesthouses rising alongside a decline in state-run establishments. While Volta Region didn’t immediately see major luxury builds, modest guesthouses and small hotels began to emerge in towns like Hohoe, Keta, and Kpando.
From President John Kufuor’s administration (2001–2009) to the present, Ghana’s hospitality sector expanded significantly, especially via private investment and foreign development. The government continued retreating from direct hotel management, while the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act encouraged private enterprise.
In Accra, iconic hotels like the Mövenpick Ambassador—built on the site of the original Ambassador Hotel (established in 1957)—were redeveloped into modern 5-star establishments, signifying the scale of private-sector resurgence.
In the Volta Region, this period saw steady growth of small-scale private hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges—particularly around attractions like Wli Waterfalls, Keta, and villages near Lake Volta. Many remain simple, family-run operations catering to eco-tourism and cultural visitors.
State and company-owned guesthouses also persist in parts—often retained for government, NGO, or corporate use—though private operations now dominate, offering more diversity in price and style.
| Period | Accommodation Landscape in Volta Region |
|---|---|
| German colonial (pre-WWI) | Sparse inns/rest stations for traders/missionaries |
| British colonial (post-WWI) | Modest rest-houses for officials; minimal tourist facilities |
| Independence to Rawlings | State-built rest houses; later decline; slow private awakening |
| Kufuor era to present | Private hotels, guesthouses, eco-lodges; continued state guesthouses |
This journey—from colonial inns to modern private lodgings—reflects Ghana’s broader socio-economic and political shifts. In the Volta Region, the hospitality industry remains grounded, modest, and increasingly vibrant, centered on eco-cultural attractions and community-run accommodations.