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2nd Annual Attorney General Alliance Africa Conference Held in Ghana
A Cocktail Reception at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Monday March 2, 2020 officially launched the 2nd Annual Attorney General Alliance Africa Conference. Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri, The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, welcomed the group of U.S. Attorney Generals who travelled to Ghana for the conference by saying a few words. “It’s a privilege and an honour for us to host you,” he said. “I hope all of you who are here for the first time enjoy.” He took a moment to congratulate everyone for coming to Ghana and commended them for being elected to their positions.
Karl A. Racine, Attorney General of District of Columbia was given the floor to speak and he invited all his attorney general peers to join him and introduce themselves as well. Denise N. George, Attorney General U.S. Virgin Islands, Aaron Forde, Attorney General for Nevada, Keith Ellison, Attorney General for Minnesota, Letitia James, Attorney General for New York and Kwame Raoul, Attorney General for Illinois were all very excited to be in Accra for the conference.
Racine made everyone aware how important it is that this many African Americans were holding such positions in the U.S. “In 2014-2015, in the United States of America there was exactly one African American, black prosecutor, Attorney General in the United states,” he said. Kamala Harris, former Attorney General for California, was leaving her position when he was coming into his. He went on to say that now there has been an improvement as more African Americans are holding positions as Attorney Generals. “That doesn’t happen by accident,” he said, “…Each of these individuals fought really hard for the right to serve their jurisdictions.”
Karen White, Executive Director of the AGA, was excited to be there to network and work with Ghana towards coming up with solutions to some of the issues that the conference will address. The AGA Africa Conference is primarily focused on tackling transcontinental crime. Issues including human trafficking, counterfeit medicines, cybersecurity and money laundering crosses continents. These are important concerns they can all work together on battling.
Their commitment to working together for a positive outcome was felt and the event is certainly poised to deliver positive results. Information on the organisation can be found on their website on www.AGAafrica.org.
Written by Ivy Prosper
Ghana is ready to build bridges of cooperation – GTA assures AGA -Africa delegates
The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman joined six State Attorneys of the United States to assure them of his outfit’s cooperation in ensuring, among other things, safe, secure and responsible travel.
He was part of a panel discussion on “Beyond the Return” during the Attorney General Alliance (AGA – AFRICA) Conference currently ongoing at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel.
Prior to the panel discussion, the CEO delivered a presentation on the “Beyond the Return” project which is geared towards sustaining the gains of the “Year of Return.”
He made mention of pillars of support for the project which include; Investments, Heritage Sites improvements, Branding Ghana, Birthright Journeys amongst others.
The six State Attorneys include; Letitia James, AG – New York, Karl Racine, AG – Washington, DC, Denise George, AG – Virgin Islands, Keith Ellison, AG – Minnesota, Aaron Ford, AG – Nevada, Kwame Raoul, AG – Illinois
The two days international conference organised by the Attorney General Alliance (AGA – Africa), a US – based organisation, is on the theme: “Tackling the reality of transnational crime in Africa – Cross border solutions and international cooperation”.
The Ghana Tourism Authority will on March 5th, sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the AGA to tackle issues of Responsible Tourism and jointly promote objectives of Beyond the Return.
GTA Partners Citi FM, CiTi Tv and AMA for Heritage Month
The Citi FM / Citi TV in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has launched the 2020 Heritage month at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Conference Room, near the Octagon on Wednesday 26th February 2020.
The heritage caravan festival is set to broaden ties with our culture and our country Ghana as a whole. The caravan commences from 1st March to 7th March, where (12) twelve out of (16) sixteen Regions of Ghana would be toured on road works, sound and sites and experience the Region and what they have to offer.
In his welcome statement, Mr. Samuel Attah Mensah, CEO of Citi FM/ Citi TV he emphasized on the need for Ghanaians to hold on to their heritage in order not to loose it. The month of March was chosen to recognize our rich Ghanaian cultural heritage. He called on other media to champion this course. Mr. Atta Mensah outlined the programme of activities for the heritage month as follows: 12thto 14thMarch – Heritage Art festival and Back to your village food bazaar at the fore court of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Accra Music Expo and MOGO at the Accra International Conference Centre on 21st March, 2020.
Mr. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Accra Mayor stated that as part of the initiative with GTA and Citi TV / FM their aim to make Accra beautiful through Arts. He further expressed his appreciation to GTA and Citi TV /FM for being partners and expressed the hope that the heritage month will channel our culture together with arts, paintings, music among other things.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority stressed on the see GHANA, eat GHANA, wear GHANA and feel GHANA marketing campaign which was launched by the Ghana Tourism Authority in June 2017. This campaign offer us the opportunity to know more about Ghana and its unique attractions, food, fabrics and music as a whole. Mr. Akwasi Agyeman reiterated that the National Commission on Culture is also working in close collaboration with the Authority on the wear Ghana month which adds up to the heritage month and other activities lined up.
Ghana Barbados Deepen Collaboration
As part of the year of return initiative in Ghana 2019, which was intended by the government to encourage African-Americans from the diaspora to come to Africa to settle and invest in the continent, it is no doubt that Ghana is a country of good reputation in terms of human relations and investment, where a lot of countries like China, Nigeria, Barbados, and the likes wants to do business with.
The Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, Mr. John A King, MP and some delegates from Barbados paid a courtesy call to the Ghana Tourism Authority recently to discuss the co-operation between Ghana and Barbados in creative arts and the film industry.
Barbados is an Eastern Caribbean Island and an independent British Commonwealth nation which is said to be the Caribbean’s leading tourism island in the region.
The Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports Mr. John A King MP, was joined by his colleague Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Hon. Kerrie Symonds, MP and the rest of the delegation, where they were hosted with a cocktail at the Osu Christianborg Castle. At the treat, they presented an appeal to the creative and arts industry to collaborate with actors and actresses, and other wood carving industry in order to collaborate, train and invest together.
The movie ‘JOSEPH’ which was shot in two Caribbean countries, Jamaica and Barbados, as well as Ghana, generated the interest of having a connection with the country and collaborating with not only the film industry but the creative arts industry as a whole. The Minister also talked about the opportunities one will gain from uniting the various cultures and ideologies of the two countries as well as partnering in businesses with them for the benefit of the next generation.
He cited their country as the first among the Caribbeans to waive the visa requirements for Ghana, as part of boosting bilateral relations.
2020 Paragliding Festival Launched – Novel Activities Promised For 13th Edition
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched this year’s Paragliding Festival at Mpraeso-Kwahu in the Eastern Region. The annual Paragliding Festival dubbed, “Fun and Fly” comes on around the Easter period and this year it is from April 10 -13.
Registration: Click Here
The 2020 edition will be the 13th since its inception in 2005. At the launch at the Mpraeso Chief’s Palace today, Deputy CEO in Charge of Operations at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Ekow Sampson said this year will feature novel additions which promise to spice up the Festival.
“This year’s paragliding will have side attractions like health and fitness walk, spin and win and a tour by the Kwahu Tourism Initiative to the attraction sites in Kwahu. The Paragliding event is an aviation sport which can be enjoyed by all groups of people, that’s the youth and adults,” he said.
Sampson later in an interaction with the media added that as part of the crystal jubilee celebration of the event, “we want to have a special activity to climax the 15 years anniversary of the Paragliding Festival. We also have a developed site which we also want to inaugurate; Abetifi Stone Age Park which is a cave which has been there for about 15,000 years and shows where the first people who came to Kwahu lived.”
A sub-Chief of the Mpraeso Traditional Council, Nana Anum, who spoke of the Chief of Mpraeso, Nana Ampadu Dadwiam II, Mpraesohene, said they were grateful for the continued support they enjoy each year during the Festival from the GTA and their partners. He urged them to ensure the safety and security of all those who will be participating in the festivities.
GTA Officials and the Media after the launch went to the take-off site to inspect ongoing works commissioned to put the place in shape in readiness for the Festival.
Paragliding Festival 2020 is under the theme “Soaring Beyond the Return.”
Registration is currently ongoing at visitghana.com
By: Samuel Obeng Appah
Source: Voyages Afriq
Jake Obetsebi Lamptey Honoured At National Chocolate Day Celebration
The Ghana Tourism Authority has honoured the late Jake Okanta Obetsebi Lamptey during the climax durbar to mark the celebrations of the 2020 National Chocolate Day at the Alisa Hotel on 14th February. He was honoured for his immense contribution in spearheading the institution of the National Chocolate Day in 2005 when he was the Minister of Tourism.
A citation and chocolate hamper was presented to the wife, Mrs. Esther Obetsebi Lamptey by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who was supported by the Paramount Chief of the Osu Traditional Area, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Alhaji Abdulai Yakubu, the Board Chair of GTA, Madam Adelaide Ahwireng, Board Member of COCOBOD, Nana Ama Dokuah, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of CPC, Nana Agyenim Boateng, President of GHATOF, Madam Bella Ahu, representatives from the public and private sector.
According to the citation, the Late Obetsebi Lamptey’s initiative has played an essential role in boosting the local consumption of chocolate and other cocoa-based products, as well as domestic tourism. In addition, it has created awareness of the health benefits of chocolate.
The Management of CPC pledged their support to supply the Late Hon. Jake’ family with chocolate and cocoa based products every month.
“Future Scholars” Deepen Ties With Ghana
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman has hosted some members of the diaspora who came from the USA on February 17, 2020. The diasporans known as the “Future Scholars” paid a courtesy call to the Ghana Tourism Authority on 17thFebruary 2020. The call was to inform of the Authority about their longstanding initiative of a school building project in Oshiyee at Kokrobite which was inspired by the need to contribute to the education sector in Ghana. The “Future Scholars” have been visiting Ghana for the past 25years.
Speaking for the group, the leader said “As retired educators who have frequently visited the country, we see the need to contribute by building a school to provide basic education in the community.” They also lauded the Government for their ‘Free Education’ policy and noted that it tied greatly with their project for accessible education.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman welcomed them and was quite excited about the initiative saying that, “Thank you for being regular visitors to Ghana and building a school to provide for the community.”
During the visit, CEO of GTA mentioned the significance of the Year of Return and noted how their project tied in with the ‘Beyond the Return’ and its pillars, which he said would be officially launched a few weeks to come. He also pointed out other developmental projects undertaken by other committed individuals and groups who visited Ghana during the Year of Return.
The GTA will take a key interest in this project by Future Scholars.
Chocolate Day 2020: Ghana Tourism Authority Surprises Media With Cakes & Hampers
It was the true ‘Chocolate Experience as the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), as part of the National Chocolate Day celebration last Friday, presented Made- In-Ghana Cocoa-based goodies to some media houses in Accra to mark the day.
The surprise gifts, which were presented to TV and Radio Stations during Friday’s Morning Shows, included a chocolate cake and a hamper filled with Ghana’s quality Golden Tree products such as chocolate bars, chocolate spread, chocolate drink and many other local cocoa-based products. The Print media was also not left out as Daily Graphic, Times and Daily Guide were also part of the surprise visits.
Led by the Minister of Tourism; Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the visit to the media houses and corporate bodies is part of measures to promote Ghana chocolate and Made in Ghana cocoa products. Some of the media houses visited include GTV, TV3, GH ONE, ATINKA TV, CITI TV, ADOM TV, 3FM, JOY FM, Y FM and HAPPY FM.
February 14 is celebrated globally as Valentine’s Day. In Ghana, it is observed as the National Chocolate Day. The theme for this year’s celebration was “My Chocolate Experience: My Holistic Well-being“. The activities for this year’s celebration included a health screening exercise at Anum Apapamu, a cocoa farming community near Suhum, visits to Children’s wards in hospitals across the country as well as a Photo and Art Competition. These events were climaxed with a Chocolate Experience Exhibition at Alisa Hotel.
The National Chocolate Day was introduced in 2005 by a then Minister of Tourism, the late Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey as a way of boosting the domestic consumption of Made-in-Ghana chocolate and other cocoa-based products, promote domestic tourism as and enhance companies in Ghana’s cocoa industry such as the Cocoa Processing Company, Ghana Cocoa Board and others.
By: Collins Ackwerh / Digital Marketing
Rider Rally Launched – To Start On Independence Day
Fever Pitch, a Sports Development and Talent Management Company, Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) have launched the maiden edition of the Rider Rally at a short ceremony.
Rider Rally is a series of long-distance Motor Bike endurance events of similar distances over intentionally mapped routes, meandering on asphalted roads, dirt-roads, foot-paths, hilly & mountainous terrain, forest reserves with custom-pit-stops at strategic Tourist sites. The maiden cross country Biking event comes off on Independence day, 6th March and it starts from Ghana – Togo Border at Aflao and ends at Ghana – Cote D’Ivoire border at Elubo on the 9th March. The three (3) day event is to serve as a precursor for a 13-week Biking Expedition which is expected to be climaxed at the end of May 2020. The mapped route for the Bikers will include Tourist sites and communities where Bikers will engage in culturally immersive activities.
Speaking at the launch, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company indicated his outfit’s and that of Tourism Authority’s readiness to support unique but exciting sports tourism product. He said the growing interest in the sport by the middle class bodes well for the sport and it was for this reason of using the sport to promote Tourism and specifically Tourist sites that the GTDC and GTA came on board to support the event referencing the Ghana – Centre of the World Golf Tournament, another Sports Tourism product.
Mr. Daniel Ashrifie, a Biker and a Biking Instructor said he is on a mission to change the perception about Biking and Bikers in society hence his Biking training school and also advocated for responsible Biking. He commended his colleague Biker, Thomas Esiape Jnr aka JET for spearheading the Bikerslivesmatter initiative which is shaping the masses by doing the necessary to get into the inherent cognitive and perceptual powers of the mind of non-bikers who see Bikers as hazardous or dangers to society, criminals and hooligans.
In attendance were Bikers including pretty actress Nikki Samonas and Biker Groups. There were solidarity messages from Stephanie Benson and other celebrity Bikers. Balloting was done for the Teams taking part in the first event on Independence Day.
Elorm Ntem and Derrick Okanta win in 2020 Chocolate Day Competitions
As part of activities leading up to the 2020 Chocolate Day celebration, the Ghana Tourism Authority put up a digital media campaign inviting the public to share images of themselves consuming their favourite Made-in-Ghana cocoa or chocolate product to stand a chance of winning prizes. Several people put up entries and in the end, Elorm Ntem, a student of the University of Health and Allied Sciences went home with a beautiful hamper of Cocoa and Chocolate products. Her photos drew admiration for her.
Cocoa Arts Competition
On the other hand, the ‘Cocoa Art Competition’ organized by Ghana Tourism Authority was the first of its kind. Craftsmen communicated the cocoa story of Ghana in their own particular manner through artistic creation. In all, we had 11 participants, which includes 10 males and 1 Female. Participants came up with their own painting telling the cocoa story of Ghana.
At the end of the event, three winners were selected by the Jury for coming up with great concepts. All other participants were not left out as their efforts were acknowledged which saw them go home with products from COCOBOD, CPC and Niche Cocoa who were partners of the event. Derrick was accompanied by the mother to receive his prize.
Derrick Okanta, Rodney Osei Aboagye, Richmond Adjei emerged as 1st, 2ndand 3rdin the cocoa art competition respectively as their artworks won the hearts of the Jury and many that attended. The winners received cash prizes of 3000.00, 2000.00 and 1500.00 respectively in addition to products from event partners.
Winners were presented their prizes at the My Chocolate Experience durbar and Exhibition held at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge on the 14thof February 2020.
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