Last week I attended a training workshop in Accra and opted to stay at a nearby guest house to avoid the hassle of daily commutes. You know how the traffic situation could stress you badly. However, my four-day stay raised significant concerns about the safety and professionalism of the establishment which I thought I should write about.
Upon check-in, I was astonished that the receptionist (a male) neither requested for my Ghana card or any other form of identification or even asked for my name. Well, I thought it was an oversight because when I arrived, I realised I was already late for the opening session so as soon as I got to the reception, I quickly paid, checked-in and told him I would be back in the evening. When I returned my key, the receptionist did not ask and so I also decided not to talk about it and just observe how things would go. The following morning while he came to serve breakfast he still did not ask and even while I was leaving for the programme and went to hand over my key he didn’t bother to find out my name.
After some days, I had a challenge with my room so I asked that it should be changed and paid for the remaining days. I noticed there was a new receptionist but he also just did what I had requested without asking me for any form of identification. It looked like it was the norm there.
This oversight is alarming, especially considering the current global security climate. It implies that the guest house did not maintain records of its guests, including mine and I have been wondering why anyone would think it is ok to have people from all walks of life in their facility with no proper record of them. So even in times of an emergency, how would they account for their guests?
I observed that the guest house catered to diverse clientele, including expatriates because I had exchanged pleasantries with some of them. This lack of accountability raises critical questions in my mind. What if a wanted individual or potential security threat was among the guests? To be fair to them, there were cameras, but though reassuring, that, I think, was insufficient, as their functionality cannot be guaranteed. You know how crimes have been committed in and around some facilities in this country only for the security agencies to find out the cameras were just decorations on the walls?
I strongly feel that the Ghana Tourism Authority must address these lapses. As the regulatory body overseeing such facilities, it is their responsibility to ensure that guest houses adhere to basic security protocols. Taking the names and identities of guests for me are basic things which should not be too difficult for them to do. Maintaining accurate guest records is essential for accountability and safety.
I am not telling them how they should do their jobs but I suggest that the authority should establish and enforce strict guidelines for guest house operations, including standardized check-in procedures requiring identification if they haven’t done so already.
Another thing for these facilities, is to have a mandatory guest registration and record-keeping book and regular security audits and camera maintenance in addition to staff training on security best practices because we cannot continue to take things for granted.
Let me state that, I had called days earlier to make enquiries and to inform them of my coming but I am not sure that was enough for them to think that I had called with my personal phone line. Also, I had told them I was attending a programme at the University of Media Arts and Communication but what if I lied? I look like a responsible person but again what if I was just pretending to be a good person. There are a lot of what ifs on my mind.
By implementing these measures, I am of the view that the Ghana Tourism Authority and other stakeholders can protect visitors and safeguard the reputation of the hospitality industry. Guest houses all over the country should not take things for granted but must prioritize security and professionalism. This is to prevent potential risks and ensure a secure environment for all patrons.
I think the onus lies with the authority to step up their game and guarantee that facilities under their purview meet the required standards. Until then, guests like myself will remain vulnerable, and the industry’s credibility will suffer. I think I have seen something and said something.
Written By: Dzifa Tetteh Tay