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Third Edition of Worlafest Officially Endorsed by ‘Beyond the Return’
Worlafest is a festival of arts and music that was created by Ghana’s renowned musician, Worlasi. This year’s event is the third edition and takes place on Saturday 7th November 2020 at Alliance Française. This time it’s an officially endorsed ‘Beyond the Return’ event and promises to take you on a journey through art and music.
During the day, the festival will host an art exhibition from 2pm-5pm that features a selection of artists curated to represent the various talents in Ghana. Artists in the exhibition include, Abena Oyiwaa Art, Joblek, Sara Black, NiiOdai, James Mishio, Lawrence Torto, and Teloe.
Worlasi himself is also a painter and animator who wants to elevate the work of local talent through this event. His creative inspirations come through life experiences and observing the world around him then translating it into his music and art. Worlasi will be performing some of his new music during the concert which is slated for 7pm-10pm.
Tickets for the event are 100 GHS to attend in-person. Purchase your tickets online at www.ayatickets.com. If you can’t make it to the event, you can also purchase tickets for 30 GHS by going to www.worlafest.com and watch online from the comfort of your home.
Follow Worlafest on Instagram @worlafest for updates and more information on artist performances at the event.
‘Beyond the Return’ – Health & Wellness With Self-Care Sunday
Make your health and wellness a priority this weekend at ‘Self-Care Sunday’, a ‘Beyond the Return’ endorsed event with a focus on taking care of yourself through activities that promise to improve your body, mind and spirit. ‘Self-Care Sunday’ takes place on 8th November at the Rehab Beach Club from 10am-5pm. Araba Babs Ofori-Acquah, is a Certified Well-Being Coach, and the Founder of Self-Care Sunday.
Miss Ofori-Acquah said the idea for Self-Care Sunday came to her in a flash of divine inspiration. “Wellness is something that has been commodified and made exclusive in many ways,” she said. “With gyms and fitness studios charging high prices. There are many ways to be well, but people are missing out either due to high costs, stigma associated with activities such as yoga, or lack of education around different ways that we can look after ourselves.”
Taking care of ourselves is something that’s often ignored in the daily hustle and bustle of our lives. For most of us, we wake up, go to work, school, attend events, participate in activities, take care of children, family members and so much more. Your days are so packed with doing things for everyone else, that you ignore your own needs. This event aims to shift our thinking and prioritize healthy living through fun activities.
The event includes high speed fitness, afrobeats yoga, high intensity interval training, twerk fitness, a Zen Zone by the beach, and a wellness market. An important element at the event will be the Conscious Conversations which includes important talks and workshops including men’s mental health, diet and nutrition, benefits of waist beads and more.
Self-Care Sunday is unlike any other ‘Beyond the Return’ event and Ofori-Acquah says that “Health and wellness is key to Ghana’s prosperity, and is an important consideration for any diasporans making the return home.” Her goal is for her event to act as a wellness sanctuary for all Ghanainas, returnees and diasporans. “I believe we’ll create a high energy, positive atmosphere that will help people feel at ease.”
The event aims to educate people on practicing self-care in an open, inclusive environment at a reasonable cost. Tickets to the event are 150 GHS and can be purchased by registering online using this link: bit.ly/SCSnov. Information about the event is also available through Whatsapp on 0596041984.
Government Renews Commitment to Revamping Tourism Industry
The Government is committed to resuscitating the Tourism Industry following the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To this end, the government continues to ensure that industry players will continue to receive stimulus incentive packages to cushion them against the loss.
The sector Minister, Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi renewed the pledge during a Senior Staff Conference of the Ghana Tourism Authority(GTA) held in Takoradi.
The three-day conference was on the theme, “Beyond The Return And COVID-19: Revamping the Tourists Industry”.
The conference which was attended by all the 11 administrative offices in Ghana deliberated on a clear-cut roadmap on how to revamp the Tourism Industry.
Mrs Oteng-Gyasi acknowledged the readiness of industry players to follow guidelines on safety protocols to prevent the pandemic from escalating.
The Minister urged players in the industry to work hard to recoup the loss during the COVID-19 period.
According to her, the COVID-19 pandemic was still rearing its ugly heads in other parts of the world which demanded strict compliance with the safety protocols.
The Western Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr George Nkrumah Ansere said the conference was among other things, to encourage domestic tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country taking cognizance of the huge tourist potentials in the Western Region and Ghana as a whole.
He said hoteliers had started operations but with a bit of caution.
Mr.Ansere said the Tourism Regulatory Agency would encourage Industry players to bounce back with strict compliance to the safety protocols.
He reminded players in the industry that the COVID-19 pandemic was still around and cautioned that there was no room for complacency.
Mr Ansere acknowledged financial relief received from the government through the NBSSI to cushion players in the Tourist industry.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman said the senior staff association had always been a vibrant and supportive one, adding that his outfit would find ways to strengthen the already existing cordial relationship in the 10-year ‘Beyond the Return’ project implementation of the Single Window project, the relaunch of the See- Ghana, Eat-Ghana, Wear-Ghana and Feel-Ghana project.
Mr Agyeman urged all senior staff members to join the crusade of amplifying Ghana to the outside world, a vision to bridge bridges, strengthen bonds, and lay the foundation of the future of Ghana and Africa.
Source: GNA
Glitz Africa Fashion Week 2020 – Beyond the Return Edition
Glitz Africa Fashion Week is one of Ghana’s biggest annual fashion events and takes place this year from November 6-8, 2020. This year’s edition is in partnership with Ghana Tourism Authority and endorsed as a Beyond the Return event. This is the 8th edition of this exciting fashion program that features African design and creativity.
On Friday 6th November, from 3pm-5:30pm there will be runway shows featuring streetwear designers that will take place at Untamed Empire on Spintex Road. Designers on that day include Subwae Studios, Darkor, Afro Volf, Slum Studios and Kojo Kusi. Saturday 7th November will feature events taking place at the Grand Arena at the Accra International Conference Centre. The day starts off with a business seminar featuring industry professionals, exhibitions and collections from young design talent. The evening runway shows will include a host of established designers including, Ophelia Crossland, Selina Beb, Larry Jay, House of Paon, and Christie Brown.
The final day takes place at The Octagon Rooftop and includes the screening of a fashion film and runway shows from designers Nyonuvi, Kokude, Afrodisiac Worldwide, Jermaine Bleu, Chocolate Clothing and Duaba Serwa.
For more information email info@glitzafrica.com and to purchase your tickets to the event call 0501581266 or 0302798513.
Tourism Sector Players To Be Honoured At 2020 National Tourism Awards
The 2019 National Tourism Awards will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the National Theatre, Accra.
The awards ceremony which is the fifteenth in the series is under the theme, ‘GROWING TOURISM BEYOND THE RETURN, BEYOND COVID-19’, and it is being organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
The National Tourism Awards was instituted by the Ghana Tourism Authority in 1997 to reward excellent performance in the tourism sector. It is also to raise standards and encourage healthy competition among tourism industry practitioners with a view to firmly positioning tourism as a vibrant economic sector and to consolidate the country’s position as a preferred tourist destination.
In 2019, Ghana’s tourism became a great success as the ‘Year of Return’ sparked global movement by projecting Ghana on a higher pedestal. A follow up of the successful ‘Year of Return’, ‘Beyond the Return’ was launched recently. It is a 10-year project under the theme, “A decade of African Renaissance – 2020-2030” which hinges on these seven pillars: Experience Ghana, Promote Pan African Heritage and Innovation, Invest in Ghana and Diaspora Pathway to Ghana. The rest are Give Back Ghana, Celebrate Ghana and Brand Ghana.
Though the tourism industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 Pandemic which led to the closure of our borders by air, land and sea among other things. Consequently, given the re-opening of Ghana’s airspace and the tourist sites, the tourism sector is expected to significantly bounce back, which would invariably boost on the country’s GDP for the well-meaning of the Ghanaian citizenry countrywide.
A total of 43 Awards would be presented to deserving tourism establishments and personalities during the awards ceremony. These include 32 Competitive Awards and 11 Honorary Awards. The Competitive Awards include Accommodation Category (serviced apartment, hostel, budget hotel, guest house, 1- 5 Star hotel and consistent payment of tourism levy (accommodation)
Catering Service Category (offshore/airline catering establishment, night club/pub, drinking bar, fast food establishment, traditional caterer (chop bar), restaurant of the year (grade 1 to 3) and consistent payment of tourism levy (catering)
Travel Service Category (visitor attraction, site guide, tour guide, car rental service, travel agency, tour operator and airline of the year)
Media(Tourism Broadcast Programme, Tourism Writer, Tourism Oriented Media (Television,Radio, Print, Online)
The Honorary Award is based on special recognition for outstanding contribution to the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, sponsors for this forthcoming event are catalogued as follows: GIHOC DISTILLERIES, AUNTY AKU SYSTEM, PRUDENTIAL BANK GH LTD, JOY INDUSTRIES LTD, AKOSOMBO TEXTILES LIMITED, ECOBANK, ETC.
Our Collaborators are MTN GH, TANG PALACE HOTEL, ALISA HOTEL, YOKS RENT-A- CAR, PAPAYE FAST FOODS, M & G PHARMACEUTICALS, SATGURU TRAVEL & TOURS, AND A HOST OF OTHERS.
Featuring will be the National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, Akwaboah among others.
Remember! Let’s continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety and hygiene protocols whilst we climax the 2019 National Tourism Awards in a grand style.
ISSUED BY THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, GHANA TOURISM AUTHORITY.
Ministry of Tourism Disburses $1.3m for first tranche of Grants Under World Bank GTDP
- Manhyia Palace Museum who received GHS 3,363,612.00
- Arc World Travels re3ceived GHS 225,000.00
- Shabasa Travels and Tours Limited GHS 150,000.00
- Afadjato – Tagbo Ecotourism Centre had GHS 690,000.00
- Afadjato Agumatsa Ecotourism Centre who also had GHS 859,153.50
Procurement – Electronic Visa Solution (eVisa) for the Ghana Immigration Service (GTDP) – (P164211)
Design, Supply, Install, Build Capacity, and Deploy Electronic Visa Solution (eVisa) for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) as Part of the Ghana Tourism Development Project (GTDP) – (P164211)
(Without Prequalification)
Purchaser: Ghana Immigration Service
Project: Tourism Development Project
Contract title: Design, Supply, Install, Build Capacity, and Deploy Electronic Visa Solution (eVisa) for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
Country: Ghana
Loan No. /Credit No. / Grant No.: Tourism Development Project (TDP) – (P164211)
RFB No: GH-TOURISM-186837-GO-RFB
Issued on: 19th October, 2020
- The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Tourism Development, and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for the Design, Supply, Install, Build Capacity, and Deploy Electronic Visa Solution (eVisa) for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)]
- The Ghana Tourism Development Project under the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the Design, Supply, Install, Build Capacity, and Deploy Electronic Visa Solution (eVisa) for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), from 1st January, 2021 to 31st May, 2021, in Ghana with services available at Kotoka International Airport, Paga, Elubo, Aflao, Takoradi, Tema, any location around the world from where a visitor wants to travel to Ghana.
Specifically, the Bidder will be required to:
Undertake the tasks as documented in Section VII – Requirements of the Information System.
- Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations and is open to all Bidders eligible as defined in these Guidelines that meet the following minimum qualification criteria
- Experience
- The Service Providing Firm must be a reputable ICT firm with international experience and shall have qualified personnel with demonstrated experience in the successful design, installation and management of similar projects. The Firm will be selected based on experience and capacity to carry out this type of work. The firm must have at least 5 years of practice in Ghana.
- The vendor must have been in software integration business for over 5 years and must be ready to develop systems or other line of business applications that can interface with Government of Ghana payment systems and eServices.
- Vendor must have experience as Systems Integrator and demonstrate its ability to help develop skills and build capacity of GIS technical team to be able to reuse the platform for future projects. The Systems Integrator must have a support and maintenance capability in Ghana to be able to provide backstopping support to GIS.
- Technical Capacity
- The Bidder shall have experience in Development, Customization, Configuration and Integration to Government of Ghana’s ePayment platform and eServices.
- Shall have offices in Ghana or should furnish an undertaking that in case of being selected and awarded the contract it will set-up an operational office in Ghana after award of contract.
- Financial Capacity
- Minimum average annual turnover of US$500,000.00 calculated as total certified payments received for contracts in progress or completed within the last five (5) years. Bidders are required to submit audited balance sheets and income statements for the last five (5) years as part of their financial statements.
- Demonstrate evidence of the firm’s liquidity in the form of cash flow, liquid assets and/or credit lines net of other ongoing commitments at the minimum required amount of USD 1 million.
- Each joint venture member or sub-contractor undertaking a significant portion of work under this contract (20% or greater of the estimated value of the contract) must be financially stable, with gross revenue base of at least US$200,000.00 annually over the last three (3) years, and liquid assets of at least US $0.5 million.
- Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information from The Ghana Tourism Development Project, Ag Project Coordinator, e-mail: procurementwborg@gmail.com and inspect the bidding document during office hours of 09:00am to 5:00pm at the address given below.
- The bidding document in English may be purchased by interested eligible Bidders upon the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of One Thousand Two Hundred Ghana Cedis. The method of payment will be Bankers Draft made payable to the Tourism Development Project. The documents will be available for pick up only at the Tourism Development Project.
- Bids must be delivered to the address below
The Ag. Project Coordinator
Tourism Development Project
Bureau of Ghana Languages
Kawukudi Accra
Ghana Post GPS – GA-019-2774
Tell: 0541587658
On or before Friday, 4th December, 2020 at 11:00am. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of the Bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend at the address below
The Project Coordinator
Tourism Development Project
Bureau of Ghana Languages
Kawukudi Accra
Ghana Post GPS – GA-019-2774
Tell: 0541587658
on Friday, 4th December, 2020 at 11:00am.
- All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid-Securing Declaration.
- Attention is drawn to the Procurement Regulations requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s beneficial ownership, as part of the Contract Award Notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form as included in the bidding document.
- The address (es) referred to above is (are):
The Project Coordinator
Tourism Development Project
Bureau of Ghana Languages
Kawukudi Accra
Ghana Post GPS – GA-019-2774
Tell: 0541587658
Rhythms on da Runway is Back for the 2020 ‘Beyond the Return’ Edition
Rhythms on da Runway is officially back for another year. Media Personality and Fashion Designer Kofi Okyere Darko, popularly known as KOD, is the man behind this brand that has been showcasing African fashion and entertainment for over a decade. The official launch announcing the upcoming event took place on 8th October on the rooftop at the African Regent Hotel. Many of Ghana’s celebrities and members of the creative industry were in attendance for the high energy event that featured music and entertainment.
Rhythms on da Runway 2020 Edition is set to take place on 14th November 2020 at 7pm at The Underground located in East Legon. This year’s edition is supported by Ghana Tourism Authority and is an officially endorsed ‘Beyond the Return’ event. With the global pandemic this year’s event is expected to be on a smaller scale because there will not be designers from other African countries flying in to participate. There are also limited travellers from the diaspora due to travel restrictions around the world. This year’s edition is slated to be 100% Ghanaian featuring designers and musicians from across the country.
CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority and Coordinator of ‘Beyond the Return’, Akwasi Agyeman, said that having the event this year shows how resilient we are as a people. Being and endorsed ‘Beyond the Return’ event, he assured that there will be several editions of the event endorsed over the next 10 years of the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative. “We’re quite excited that this year we’re having a 100% Ghanaian program,” he said. Making mention of Ghana Tourism Authority’s ‘See Ghana, Eat Ghana Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana’ campaign, he said that Rhythms on the Runway fits right into that messaging.
Yvonne Ocloo is the Creative President for RODR and she said they are excited about the upcoming event and are humbled to be able to pull off another show considering the things that have happened this year with the pandemic. She remembered how exciting last year’s event was and the acknowledgment received from BBC Africa in referring to the show as the “Biggest cultural expose in Africa.” She made mention that one of this year’s highlights will be the celebration of Ghanaian designer Ricci Osei, father of musician Reggie Rockstone. He was a cultural innovator who paved the way for many design talents in Ghana today.
Some of the performers scheduled for the show include Kelvyn Boy, Kwabena Kwabena, Efya, King Promise and Kuami Eugene. Designers who will be showcasing their collections include Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako, Sima Brew, Stepup, Jay Ray Ghartey and others to be announced soon.
Tickets for the event go on sale on 14th October and there are only 200 tickets available. KOD was overwhelmed with how many people attended the launch event and acknowledged that with Covid-19 protocols this year’s event will not be as grand in number. He said it was going to be tough turning people away because of the limited numbers. Despite that, he knows this is a momentous occasion to be able to still put on the show. Akwasi Agyeman said, “We know that this year’s event as small as it will be, it will be another milestone to celebrate.”
By Ivy Prosper
Work on Bonwire Kente Museum Begins
Accra, October 13, 2020
Today, Vice President, H.E Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will cut-sod for the construction of the much-anticipated Bonwire Kente Museum.
Kente has for decades been Ghana’s most prominent cultural heritage symbol. In recent years it has become the symbol representing the unity of the black race, African identity as well as a symbol for black empowerment. Kente cloth has been used by Congressmen of the US and most recently by rising tennis star Naomi Osaka in acknowledgment of her ancestral heritage after she won the US Open. Though Kente is woven in several places in Ghana such as Adanwomase and Agotime Kpetoe, Bonwire is arguably the most popular place associated with the weaving of Kente.
The Bonwire Kente Museum project is thus part of the larger plan to improve selected Crafts and Artifacts Making Sites in the Ashanti Region. The objective is to improve the performance of tourism in targeted destinations along craft villages.
The event is taking place within the Ejisu Municipal Area which is an important tourism enclave in Ghana. It is the home of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the heroine and towering figure of African resistance against colonialisation. The area also has iconic Ashanti traditional buildings which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
GFA, GTA & PFAG Collaborate On ‘Visit Ghana, Bring Back The Love Football Tour’
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has launched the Visit Ghana Football Tour at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC) on Friday, October 2, 2020.
The campaign dubbed BEYOND THE RETURN, FOOTBALL RETURNS is aimed at igniting the passion for football in both local and diasporan communities, whilst promoting Ghana as a tourist destination.
The campaign tour will officially kick- start at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium with the “Battle of the Stars” football match as a way of promoting domestic football and domestic tourism.
The Deputy CEO of Operations, GTA, Mr. Ekow Sampson who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, stated that, ” football is such an important sporting event that draws attention to itself, and this is the main reason for many investors including tourism are interested in football. Football vitalizes the tourism sector and increases patronage of hotels, restaurants, transportation, nightclubs, visit to tourist sites and all other tourism sectors which in return generates revenue and redistributes income.
The President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr. Kurt Okraku said football promotes tourism, and tourism promotes football.
He also revealed that the launch is going to kickstart the activities that would lead to the reopening of the 2020/2021 football season.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony include; the President of the Ghana Football Association Mr. Kurt Edwin Okraku, Member of the Black Stars Committee: Alhaji Abu Alhasan Jones, Deputy CEO Operations, GTA: Mr. Ekow Sampson.
The General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana, Mr. Solomon Thompson, The Deputý General Secretary of Confederation of African Football, CAF, Mr. Anthony Baffour, General Secretary, GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, and the Deputy General Secretary, GFA, Mr Alex Asante.
Other officials include; Former Black Star Player: Yusif Chibsah, the Manager for Product Development and Investment(GTA): Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Manager for Research Monitoring and evaluation(GTA): Mr. Spencer Doku, Manager for Operations(GTA): Mr. Michael Kpingbi, Manager for Corporate Affairs (GTA): Rev. Jones Aruna Nelson, Director of Communications, GFA: Henry Asante Twum and Representatives of Decathlon, Ghana.
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