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Tourism In Volta and Oti Regions To Receive Renewed Boost With Operationalisation of Ho Airport
Tourism in the Volta and Oti regions is expected to get a renewed boost as the Ho receives the test flight that will usher in the operations of commercial flight on the Accra-Ho-Accra route in the coming months. This is expected to open up the hugely unexploited tourism potential of the two regions to help promote both domestic and international tourism to help achieve the Tourism ministry’s revenue target.
Tourist are expected to enjoy a 15-17 minutes travel time between the two destinations cutting travel time via road by about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This is expected to allow tourist to leave visitors to the region with Ghana’s most attractive natural tourist spots.
On Thursday April 15, 2021 a successful flight testing exercise of the facility on was conducted at the Ho Airport. The Chief Operation Officer of the African World Airline (AWA), Captain Kwesi Oteng, successfully landed an Embrarer 145 aircraft which had 36 passengers onboard.
Captain Oteng informed the press that, there was no hiccup during the flight and that conditions were good. He added that AWA was planning to operate two or three times a week from Ho to Accra. He further hinted that, if the patronage of the Ho-Accra commercial flight went well, they would consider beginning connecting flights to other regions as well which would help boost domestic tourism in the country.
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and Executive Chairman Of the African World Airline, Togbe Afede XIV believes the airport would not only accelerate economic growth and tourism but would be instrumental in emergency operations by state agencies. He recounted how the airport had helped deploy security personnel as well as transport accident victims to receive needed medical care.
He commended government and its agencies, Ghana Airport Company (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for the support and hinted of plans to establish an Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) in Ho for basic maintenance services as well as a pilot training school in Ho.
On his part, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Mr. Yaw Kwakwa expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm of residents towards the airport and announced that Passion Air has expressed interest in flying to Ho saying “We are grateful for the enthusiasm that the city has shown us. This is what we are looking for” he said.
Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa lauded stakeholders on their respective roles in operationalising the facility and urged residents to patronize the airport.
The obviously elated Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Alexander Nketia said “discussion are ongoing between stakeholders to offer special packages for tourist to the region”. He said the packages will include great hotel, transport and site visit bargains tom make the region the destination of choice.
By: CA/GTA Digital
Beyond The Return: Chappelle Inspired By Stevie Wonder to visit Ghana
In a recent interview on Supermodel Naomi Campbell’s YouTube Series, ‘Unfiltered with Naomi’, Comedian Dave Chappelle said he was inspired by Stevie Wonder to visit Ghana. Chappelle, who has been a comedian for three decades, spoke in the nearly one hour interview about his goals, memories and plans for the future. “I want to build something that lasts beyond me,” he told Campbell. He was thinking about creating something that leaves a lasting legacy.
“Where do want to go? I mean you’ve been around the world,” Campbell asked him. “Stevie Wonder said in the press recently that he wanted to move to Ghana,” he said. Explaining that Wonder has spoken about coming to Ghana many times through the years, he said there was something different about the way he said it this time around. “This last time he said it, what he said was, ‘I’m moving to Ghana so I can be valued and respected more’….it was almost exactly the phrase he used. You’ve got to think that as a Black American, who amongst us is more valued or respected than Stevie Wonder? And the idea that he would feel this way at this stage in his life, and his career….” He also noted that the award-winning singer/songwriter said he wanted to do this for his grandchildren. “To see him decide to make that move, I wanted to go.”
Campbell, who has been passionate about Africa since the mid-nineties when she was introduced to Nelson Mandela, has been on a mission to put Africa in the spotlight. Chappelle said he called her immediately when considering the visit to Ghana and she put him in contact with British-Ghanaian Architect, David Adjaye, who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. “So we’ve been working together hopefully I’ll build something there,” he said. “I hope to open a comedy club there because I heard there’s none,” he continued. This would be welcome news to all the comedians in Ghana and other parts of West Africa to have a hub that showcases comedy shows in Ghana.
By: Ivy Prosper
Photos: Queen Afua and Wellness Delegation End Ghana Tour
Holistic Health Practitioner and Best-Selling Author, Queen Afua visited Ghana as part of the Beyond The Return initiative targeted at Diaspora community to experience “A Decade of African Renaissance”. The delegation were welcomed and hosted by the Ghana Tourism Authority under the Beyond The Return Initiative.
The first day of Queen Afua’s trip began with a welcome ceremony at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. A cultural troupe performed traditional song and dance while Queen Afua and her delegation joined in and danced to the beat of the drums. It was clear the love they have for the motherland Africa.
On their second day in Ghana, the team had a meeting at Jubilee House with the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Akwasi Ababio, Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs, Nadia Adongo Musah, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman and the Presidential Advisor on Health, Anthony Nsiah-Asare. Queen Afua spoke to them about her vision for health and wellness in Ghana. She spoke about her best-selling books and how she has helped millions around the world heal their bodies through food.
She presented her products to them and even had everyone sample one that promises to aid and clear the cardiovascular system.
A visit to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was an opportunity for the team to learn the history of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Some of the travellers have never visited the African continent and learning about the strides made by Ghana was an eye-opening experience.
Jerry Johnson is an African American who has made Ghana home and saw the need to educate the youth about the history of Black people around the world. He created the Ancestral Wall around his property as a way to honour important historical figures from Africa and the global African diaspora. Queen Afua and her delegation travelled to Prampram to visit the wall and learn some of the history of people they didn’t know about.
For the African American community, a visit to see the dungeons of Cape Coast Castle is an important part of the journey to Africa. It’s an opportunity to experience and connect with their ancestors and to see the spaces where the atrocities took place before the ancestors were taken overseas.
Assin Manso is where the Slave River passes through and a critical part of the journey of healing for diasporans when they come to Ghana. Queen Afua and her team experienced the place where captured enslaved Africans were taken for their last bath before being sold into the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The team also engaged in a tree-planting exercise to reconnect with the land and honour the lives of those who were taken.
Queen Afua’s best-selling book, The Sacred Woman was recently launched for the twentieth anniversary edition. She had a book reading and signing at the Pan African Writer’s Association House (PAWA), hosted by the Ghana Association of Writers.
Mr. Gbormittah, President of the Ghana Association of Writers was there and he was happy that such an event was their first in a year after the pandemic halted their in-person activities.
Aburi Botanical Gardens is one of the beautiful wonders of Ghana and many tourists take the opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of nature there. Queen Afua has partnered with Tehuti Films to document her experience in Ghana and used the gardens as a perfect setting to film a scene in her upcoming documentary.
A visit to former President H.E. John Kofi Kuffor, at his home was an honour for the delegation. It was an opportunity for Queen Afua to speak to the former president about her health and wellness system and how she has helped to heal people around the world.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, met with the delegation for a breakfast meeting at Kempinski Hotel on the final day of their tour of Ghana. He expressed how impressed he is with the work Queen Afua is doing with her health and wellness teachings. He announced in the brief meeting before breakfast that he was appointing her as Ghana’s Wellness Ambassador.
Minister For Tourism Engages Agency Heads To Strategise To Make Sector Number One GDP Contributor
As part of the the unwavering commitment by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture ( MoTAC), Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, to make Ghana’s tourism hub a game changer in the economic transformation of H. E. President Akufo Addo’s vision for Ghana’s “Beyond Aid” agenda, a two 2-day retreat was organized for the Management Staff and the Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, from 25-26th March, 2021.
He observed that the Tourism industry was not doing well as expected and indicated his resolve to turn the economic fortunes of the Sector by creating massive employment opportunities for the Ghanian citizenry.
He further expressed his desire to generate 5-Billion Dollars from the Tourism industry by December, 2022.
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, intimated that upon his assumption of office, H E President Akufo Addo indicated to him to use his business acumen and entrepreneural skills to change the face of Ghana’s Tourism industry.
The Sector Minister emphasized that he would infuse business perspectives and Strategic Policy direction that would rake in huge financial gains for the Tourism arena.
He further expressed his commitment to make Ghana’s Tourism Sector number one contributor to the country’s GDP from it’s current third place ranking from the economic performance in Ghana.
He further expressed his preparedness to make Ghana an attractive Tourism destination by boosting Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts segment, given that it is a multi billion dollar industry, which needed to be given an utmost attention it deserved.
He also expressed his resolve to make Domestic Tourism his top-most priority Agenda to attract about One Million local Tourists visitation annually.
Dr. Awal, further entreated the Heads of Agencies under the Ministry to endeavour to always, as a matter of Policy direction have a recouse to him before undertaking any Policy execution of their operations.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. John Yao Agbeko, earlier in his welcome remarks officially welcome Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, for his appointment to the Ministry, adding that the meeting was to also afford the Policy Makers an opportunity to have a deeper knowledge of the Sector-wide performance from the Agency Heads briefings of their activities.
Meanwhile, eleven (11) Heads of Agencies under the Ministry took turns to deliver their presentations on their respective Agencies’ Policy interventions.
Gov’t targets $5bn Tourism revenue in 2 yrs – Dr Awal reveals at vetting
The Minister designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, has outlined plans to increase revenue from the sector to $6 billion within the next three years.
Currently, data from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) indicate that the sector contributed $1 billion to the economy last year, with global projections indicating that the figure could increase to $1.2 billion by the close of the year.
The Minister designate, who made an ambitious $5-billion projection of inflow within his first two years in office when given the nod, insisted that it was very possible, considering the fact that the country raked in $3.3 billion in 2019 due to the Year of Return initiative.
Dr Awal was, therefore, confident that initiatives such as the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, a further improvement of tourist sites and Ghana’s arts and culture would help achieve that target.
Leading foreign exchange earner
He said his plan was to make the tourism sector the number one foreign exchange earner for the country in the next four years.
Ghana’s tourism industry is currently the fourth foreign exchange earner, with gold, oil and cocoa occupying the number one to three positions, respectively.
“Tourism everywhere contributes significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In Ghana, it is the number four foreign exchange earner, but we are determined to make it the number one,” he stated.
Measures to achieve targets
Dr Awal said the targets would be achieved by boosting both domestic and international tourism in the country.
“We are going to boost both domestic and foreign tourism. Ghana has the best in terms of tourist sites; Ghanaian people are warm, have very rich arts and culture and good heritage sites, and we think that when we put our heads together, we can do a lot there, especially internal tourism,” the minister designate said.
He said internal tourism was not much patronised and called on Parliament to champion that cause.
“We want to institute corporate tourism, school tourism, religious tourism, among others,” he noted.
To do that, Dr Awal said, the country would have to improve its arts and culture offerings, since that was the foundation for a strong tourism sector for any country.
“Our national festivals on arts and culture will have to come back. You cannot have a good tourism sector without a good arts and culture background,” he stated.
$20-million studio
Dr Awal also revealed plans by the ministry, under his supervision, to build a $20-million world-class music and film studio, with the support of the private sector.
That, he said, would help position the country as a film production hub in West Africa.
“This is one element that can bring increased tourism into the country. We currently don’t have any serious studio in this country. In Nigeria, the film industry, two years ago, generated $590 million. In Hollywood, the industry generated over $4.1 billion.
“Ghana can do it if we have a studio that produces movies,” he stated.
Promoting festivals
The minister designate also outlined his plans to promote Ghanaian festivals and make them more attractive to the international community.
“Marketing and promotion are very important in promoting Ghanaian festivals. We want to have a comprehensive calendar and programme, worked out with the chiefs and traditional authorities, to market Ghanaian festivals in and outside Ghana and also seek to get sponsorship for these festivals,” Dr Awal noted.
$50-million industry support
The minister designate for Tourism also pointed out that the sector had been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said statistics available to the ministry indicated that the Ghanaian tourism industry had lost GH¢6 billion since the outbreak of the pandemic.
The former Minister of Business Development said although the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) had provided some support for the industry, it was still not enough.
He said the ministry was, therefore, working on a $50-million fund to support the industry.
“What we intend doing is carry out a proper impact assessment, which the GTA is already doing, to look at what we can do. We intend to build the capacities of the players in the sector, give them business ideas and provide funding for them,” he stated.
Dr Awal stressed that anytime a pandemic was over, there was a surge in tourism, saying: “We, therefore, want to use the downtime.”
Marine drive project
The former Business Development Minister also said he would ensure massive participation of the private sector in the Marine Drive Tourism project.
“The Marine Drive Project is very important and a game changer project in Ghana. When I am given the nod, I will look at the details; I am a business development person and I will ensure that the project is accelerated to create jobs for Ghanaians.
“We expect to invest between $8 billion and $10 billion to ensure the project gets underway and I will ensure that the private sector is encouraged to participate,” he said.
Source: GraphicOnline
The NAACP And Ghana, A Shared Identity
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has been at the forefront of the civil rights movement for over a century. Founded, on February 12, 1909, they are the oldest civil rights organization in the United States. As we mark their 112th anniverary, it was important to share a brief history of the organization and why they are still important today.
What many people don’t know is that the Niagara Movement, which was an organization of black intellectuals, is seen as the predecessor of the NAACP. The Niagara Movement included 29 African Americans who had a secret meeting in 1905 in Fort Erie, Ontario Canada (close to Niagara Falls). Where they created a manifesto that was focused on finding ways to abolish racial discrimination. Many of the members of the Niagara Movement, were subsequently some of the founders of the NAACP.
One of the most notable founding members of the NAACP, was W.E.B. DuBois, who went on to become one of the most important historical figures in the Pan Africanist movement. President Kwame Nkrumah convinced DuBois to visit Ghana in 1960 and he eventually moved and became a Ghanaian citizen. He died in Ghana and was buried there, his grave being one of the most visited sites in the country.
Other founding members of the NAACP included Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Mary Church Terrell and a group of white liberals who also wanted racial justice; Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz.
Throughout history, the NAACP has fought against the many injustices that faced Black people including, voting rights, segregation, racial violence, discrimination in employment opportunities, anti-lynching, education and many more of the constitutional rights they were being denied.
The NAACP has also been at the fore when it comes to important litigation cases. They established the NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund in 1939 and have been successful in legal battles that have led to changes in the legal system including the 1954 school segregation ruling in Topeka.
During the 1980s, the NAACP showed their solidarity for Black South Africans when they spoke publicly against the Apartheid system, which was reminiscent of the experiences African Americans also had in the United States.
Derrick Johnson currently serves as the 19th President of the NAACP. He has led the organization with being on the frontlines of many current pressing issues of the African American community. In 2019, he also partnered with the Jamestown to Jamestown project that marked the 400 year anniversary of the documented ship of enslaved Africans that arrived in the U.S. It was a collaboration with the ‘Year of Return’ and The Adinkra Group and brought over 250 African Americans on a life-changing journey to Ghana. It was a historic trip as a Grand Durbar was held in their honour and the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, was in attendance and gave a special warm welcome to all the African Americans by taking a moment to shake everyone’s hand. “We want to thank you for the open arms that you have received us with. We are proud to be African, we are proud to be a part of this great celebration. We are proud to be with you today,” Derrick Johnson said when addressing the crowd at the Grand Durbar in Jamestown, Accra.
The NAACP continues to play an important role in the lives of the African American community. They are actively involved in federal advocacy, justice, education, supporting economic opportunities, health and diversity in America.
The Light of Cocoa & Chocolates
Have you had your bite of chocolate today? Or have you consumed a glass of pure Ghanaian cocoa drink yet?
If your answer is a big no, what are you waiting for?
Taking you aback a bit, cocoa was introduced in Ghana by our Legendary Tetteh Quarshie in 1895 when he returned from his farm in the Eastern Region with cocoa beans in his pocket from Fernando Po, now an island in Bioko equatorial Guinea.
Now let’s fast forward to where we left off. Do you know chocolates increase your libido if you are sexually inactive?
Oh yes, I am pretty much sure that was very green to you but that’s the truth of the matter. And the earlier the cat is let out of the bag, the better.
Consuming more chocolates and cocoa drink not only activates your sex drive and empowers you but it smoothens your skin and return you to the skin you emanated from the womb with especially the ladies. Another reason you have to consume cocoa is because it provides the most powerful dietary antioxidants .
No need to bleach that beautiful skin of yours. Use cocoa butter and lotion to keep the tone and texture smooth and fresh all the time.
Even if you find your skin in a bleached entanglement because of the use of other creams, its never too late.
Consuming cocoa and chocolates will do the trick of bringing you back into the light. It’s never too late on your side as far as chocolates and cocoa are involved. They are the lifeline to your skin’s death deadline. Eating more chocolates (consuming cocoa) also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
They delay physical signs of ageing and minimises the pain and discomfort associated with menstrual periods and cramps.
Your stress problems are now a thing of the past because cocoa is here to take care of that.
Consumption of cocoa (chocolates) also fights dental decay, provides energy and vitality.
Cocoa and chocolates improve blood circulation to your brain and white washes depression in your life if you are emotionally broken down.
The men (guys) are not left out, consumption of cocoa keeps you fit, strong and sexually active.
I know you can’t wait to have this wonderful experience.
Come 14th February, 2021, the place to be to experience this change of light to your skin and have that power to the light is The Ghana Tourism Authority.
Come wearing your nose mask, meet pals, connect with your roots and observe all Covid – 19 protocols.
Eat more chocolates, drink more of natural cocoa drink, re – vitalise and boost your human and immune system.
This program is being held under the auspices of The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture under the theme, “My Chocolate Experience In Disruptive Times”.
Cocoa has spread all over Ghana and given birth to several products i.e. chocolates, cocoa butter cream, cocoa butter lotion, cocoa drink, Milo etc. and all these children to cocoa play key roles in the growth, re – vitalisation and development of the human system and nation Ghana as a whole.
Where there is chocolate, there is life.
Where there is chocolate, there is light.
Where there is Chocolate, there is love and Where there is chocolate, there is hope.
Consume a chocolate today and shine a light.
Isaac Kofi Arthur
National Service Personnel
Corporate Affairs Department
Ghana Tourism Authority
World Day For African & Afrodescendant Culture Celebrated To Promote Arts, Culture & Heritage
The 2021 World Day for African and Afrodescendant culture was held on 24 January, 2021 at the W.E. Dubois Centre, Accra to celebrate the vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world.
This year’s event was to create an opportunity for Africans and the African Diasporans to promote their cultures to enable them play their role in the development and peace in the continent.
Mr. Addourahamane Diallo, UNESCO Country Manager, said the World Day celebration is UNESCO’s aspirations to honour and highlight such cultures in their diversity and actuality.
“For, if we are to build back better and differently, we will need the inspirational power of culture. Promotion of African and Afro-descendant cultures is very important as the global crisis has exacerbated all the tensions in our societies. The fact is that these cultures offer pride, answers and something to heal even the deepest wounds”. Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO remarked.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman in his address said, “Africa will remain the vehicle of hope on the world map, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is held every year on 24 January to celebrate the diverse and vibrant culture of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promote them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. UNESCO adopted this day at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. The dates coincide with the adoption of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The celebration of World Day for African and Afro-descendant culture is also aimed to promote the widest possible ratification and implementation of this Charter by African States, thereby strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace on the continent.
Other dignitaries including, Ambassador Erieka Bennett, Diaspora African Forum, Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, and Jessica Ayivor, President of the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) were present at the ceremony.
CNN Travel Names Ghana As One Top 21 Places To Visit In 2021
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GIPC, GTA and GUBA organise ‘A Taste Of Ghana: Rock Your African Print’ to showcase rich Ghanaian culture
Accra, December 23, 2020
As an endeavour to showcase the rich Ghanaian culture and promote local businesses, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and GUBA is organising ‘A Taste of Ghana: Rock Your African Print’, on the 28th of December 2020, at the Accra Polo Club.
A Taste of Ghana is a unique event that aims to project the beauty of Ghanaian culture and heritage. Bringing together Ghanaians and the African Diaspora, the event will primarily foster an informal networking session for all attendees, and to also encourage the support and patronage of Made in Ghana products.
The array of activities for the days’ event will include live music sessions, fashion shows and performances, while vendors will also be on site showcasing various authentic and delicious Ghanaian dishes, local drinks, art, and fashion items.
Touching on the significance of the event, CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr Yofi Grant said “Ghana has always been recognised as a country with rich cultural heritage and gained even more traction following the recent year of return initiative which welcomed lots of our people within the diaspora. I therefore look forward to this event creating avenues to harness opportunities between indigenes and diasporas for the benefit of the nation “.
Buttressing the comments of Mr Grant, the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Akwasi Agyeman added that “beyond the fun and rich cultural experience, I believe we can leverage such events to continuously promote tourism in Ghana and create business opportunities for Ghanaians”.
Keeping with the celebration of Ghanaian culture, and the obvious title of the event, patrons are encouraged to come “Rocking an African Print.
The event is scheduled for 2pm to 10pm and patrons can look forward to an interesting time with friend and family while experiencing and capturing the sights, feels, sounds and tastes of Ghana.
A Taste of Ghana is a Beyond the Return Initiative, sponsored by Absa Bank Ghana, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Ghana EXIM bank. It is also partnered by The BridgeZone and powered by E-volution.
For enquiries, tickets, and information, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/133744464293
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About Grow, Unite, Build, Africa
GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans back home through various socio – economic programs and initiatives.
The organisation has various brand activities namely: GUBA Awards, GUBA Foundation, GUBA Trade Expo, GUBA Careers, GUBA Diaspora Card, GUBA Tours and Rock Your African Print.
Contact: Claudia Andrews
Email: claudia@gubaawards.co.uk
About Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is a Government agency, responsible to encourage and promote investments in Ghana, to provide for the creation of an attractive incentive framework and a transparent, predictable, and facilitating environment for investments in Ghana.
About Ghana Tourism Authority
The Ghana Tourism Authority is the public service agency in charge of regulating tourism in Ghana through marketing and promotion, licensing and classification of tourism facilities and services, research, and development.
Call Center: 0307007100