The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi has inaugurated a Cross-Sectional Steering Committee to work with the Ghana Tourism Authority in the implementation of the “Beyond the Return” project.

‘BEYOND THE RETURN’ is a follow-up to the successful ‘YEAR OF RETURN, GHANA 2019’ campaign which commemorated the 400 years of the first enslaved Africans arriving in Virginia, USA, spearheaded by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo – Addo.

Inaugurating the Committee, the Minister indicated the trust the Ministry had in the team assembled.  The Project Coordinator, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority recounted the successes of the “Year of Return” and indicated COVID-19 has provided a new challenge to the implementation of the project but the Authority is poised to work with other stakeholders to ensure success.

BEYOND THE RETURN’ is based on seven (7) pillars namely, Experience Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Brand Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Pathway to Ghana, Give Back to Ghana and Improve Tourism and Heritage Assets.

Representatives from Ten (10) institutions who constitute the Steering Committee would ensure the successful execution of the campaign.

The Committee members include Lawyer Kwame Boateng (GTA Board), Akwasi Awua Ababio (Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President), Lawrence Azumah (National Security), Barbara Benisa (KLM Royal Dutch), Esi Sutherland-Addy (PANAFEST Foundation), Edith Penelope Arhin (Ghana Immigration Service), Jessica Ayivor (AAAG), Khadija Iddrisu (Foreign Affairs), Ekow Sampson (GTA), Amy Appiah Frimpong (National Theatre of Ghana), Ben Anane Nsiah (GTA), Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah (GMMB), Roberta Dawson-Amoah (GTA), DCOP/Dr. Sayibu Pabi Gariba (Ghana Police Service), Dentaa Amoateng (GTA Board), Yofi Grant (GIPC) and Akwasi Agyeman (GTA) who is also the Project Coordinator for the Steering Committee.

READ MORE: ABOUT BEYOND THE RETURN AND THE 7 PILLARS

‘BEYOND THE RETURN’ is not only to promote tourism but to foster economic relations, trade and investments from the diaspora in Africa and the world at large.