Title:
Ensuring Guest Safety: Legal Obligations and Security Standards in Ghana’s Hospitality Sector

Authors:
Ogochukwu C. Nweke, Emmanuel K. A. Appiah, Bashiru S. Zibo, Ghana

Abstract:

The study investigates security policies and legislations necessary for ensuring safety to guests in Ghana's hospitality sector and implementation by hospitality managers.  The study adopted a qualitative research approach and descriptive study design. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews of security officers and hospitality facility managers. The study showed a varied degree of awareness of legal obligations and security standards in Ghana’s hospitality sector. Specifically, it was evidenced that some hotel managers and employees were aware of legal obligations and security standards but others had little to no awareness. It was revealed that factors such as limited resources, infrastructure challenges, and sporadic enforcement by authorized agencies weaken complete compliance with the standards of guests’ safety. Despite all these problems, most of the establishments have incorporated proactive safety measures into their daily operations, but others were primarily reactive in orientation. Further, the study observed that hospitality firms implement security technologies, coordinate with external security agencies such as police and fire department to enhance the safety of guests. The study concludes that although legal obligations and security standards for quests safety are in place, there is a short in its implementation by hospitality firms in Ghana. The study recommends the need to intensify training among hospitality staff, improve regulation enforcement, and build proactive partnerships with external security organizations to enhance guest safety in Ghana’s hospitality industry.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2025.9906