Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has opened up about filling the shoes of her immediate predecessor, Akwasi Agyeman, who has been roundly praised for improving the economic contributions of tourism while attracting multitudes to Ghana.

“It certainly does,” she responded on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, when Kwame Dadzie asked if Agyemang’s legacy was putting her under pressure.

He revealed she had worked with Agyeman before, noted his disposition and recognised his success.

“But the truth is that before Akwasi Agyeman came to GTA, nobody knew him. He was a low key person at Happy FM, he had an affiliation with Global Media Alliance and I knew him at the time because I had done a job with him on Ghana @ 50,” Maama Efua said.

“I knew he was quiet, unassuming man until he came onto the scene. Also, he took a while to settle in, and he did the magic.”

Seasoned in client service, hospitality, journalism, event planning and marketing, the newly-appointed GTA CEO said her experience and expertise would come in handy as she aimed to build on what Akwasi Agyeman did.

“I think that his background in marketing and events really helped. I pray to God that I am able to do same and even more because we have similar backgrounds,” she said.

She noted Akwasi Agyeman had assured her of his support in her new role.

Hinting at some of the innovations she was eyeing for tourism, she underlined she once collaborated with Sunseekers Tours to bring the first cruise ship tours to Ghana. Cruise tours is an area the Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts & Culture, Dzifa Abla Gomeshie, has said she was in talks with the Ghana Navy over.