Atlas Rent-A-Car, a leading car rental firm has officially opened its modern corporate head office, with a call on government to help promote and facilitate the car rental industry.

Akwasi Marfo, CEO of the company said, “the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) needs to support the car rental businesses by facilitating and promoting players in the industry to attract sustainable businesses.

"Government agencies must engage the services of the association to facilitate the movement of guests and tourists during conferences and other international gatherings,” he said. 

The Ministry of Tourism should give more attention to the car rental industry since it’s a key contributor to Tourism in Ghana.

The car rental industry has been neglected by successive governments and this is impeding the operations of the industry which employs huge numbers of drivers and also helps promote tourism.

Mr Marfo said he has attended lots of seminars by the Ministry of Tourism’s this year and was shocked, the officials did not mention car rentals business or associations. 

According to him, they only talked about hotels adding "if you talk about hospitality sector-it is not only hotels." 

"We are not saying come and give us cash but facilitate the sector to make deals during major conferences, events and meetings. This will promote the industry to grow and generate the needed employment and the well-being of the youth as well,” he said.

He explained that the sector holds great potential in creating jobs for the teeming youth, adding firms in recent times are subletting their transport department to the car renting companies to help minimize operational cost.

Mr Marfo, who is also the Vice President of the Ghana Car Rental Association, also pointed out the lack of financial support as one of the numerous challenges facing the car rental business in Ghana.

He said financial institutions' unwillingness to support the car rental industry is greatly affecting the operations of the industry.

Mr Marfo made a rallying call for other players in the industry to embrace the technological change in the area of vehicular safety and security to protect staff drivers and passengers.

“Most of my cars have security and safety systems which protect the drivers and the passengers as well as against car theft,” he said.

Atlas Rent-A-Car is multiple award-winning cars renting and transport company spanning over 17 years.

It was supported by Nenyi George Andah, Deputy Communications Minister and President of Ghana Car Rental Association, Seth Yeboah Ocran among other dignities.