Call Center
GTA To Hold 17th National Tourism Awards
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
GTA Ladies Club Holds Biennial Congress at Kwahu
The Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Mr Akwasi Agyeman, has urged women in tourism to work hand in hand to break the stereotypes that holds women down.
He said “we need more of our women to rise to positions of authority that will enable them influence policies, especially those that will affect the fortunes of other women.”
Mr Agyeman made this observation at the just ended biennial congress of the GTA Ladies Club.
The congress is aimed at bringing members across the regions together to ascertain how best to help the organization achieve its goals, to look at ways of empowering each other and to exchange views and ideas aimed at improving the welfare of female staff.
He congratulated the Club for their commitment and efforts towards the successful operations of the GTA and urged them not to relent in their efforts to creating a more formidable force of the Authority.
Mrs. Doreen Fianko, Founder of the Club said there were many conscious and unconscious biases around women, which hinders their progressive forward movement.
“This is the reason why women need to be empowered to equip and allow them to redefine their gender roles and to make strategic life choices which will allow them more freedom to pursue their desired goals.”
Mrs. Emma Rachael Akua Oduro, Outgoing President of the Club urged women in the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Hospitality industry in Ghana, to mentor and coach one another through support groups in order to meet up with the growing demands within the industry.
She said the club was formed over two decades ago to among other things improve the welfare of the female staff through the exchange of ideas, promote the image and advancement of members as well as to assist the management in pursuance of basic objective of the Authority and offer constructive suggestions and criticisms.
The Ladies’ Club has a membership of almost two hundred (200) members drawn from all the sixteen regions of Ghana.
Some activities that took place during the congress include, leadership training programme, empowerment summit, a donation exercise, election and swearing in of new executives, tour and picnic.
The newly sworn in executives include Madam Francesca Quansah, President, Ms Abigail Kwayisi, Vice President, Madam Selase Tettevi, Organizer, Nana Yaa Boadu, Assistant Organizers, Madam Millicent Nweada, Public Relations Officer, Madam Ellen Gyeambea, Secretary, and Madam Dela Melchidek, Financial Secretary.
Upper West Region Hosts 2022 World Tourism Day
Wa in the Upper West Region to host World Tourism Day 2022
The United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) World Tourism Day is observed every year on September 27 with the aim of fostering awareness among the international community about the importance of Tourism and its social, economic, political, and cultural values. The National Celebration is being hosted Today, 27th September in the Upper West Region, Wa, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
This year’s Celebration themed, “Rethinking Tourism”, focuses on how we can accelerate tourism recovery through a collaborative engagement of all stakeholders around a shared vision to build a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient sector. The official World Tourism Day celebration will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on 27th September to highlight the shift towards tourism as a crucial pillar of development.
As part of the celebration, Ghana has developed a sub-theme dubbed; Promoting Domestic Tourism for Wealth Creation in Communities to grow the interest of Ghanaians for tourism.
Prior to the celebration, tours were organised to some tourist sites such as Nakore Mosque, Royal Cosy Hills (Jirapa Dubai) among others. The celebration being climaxed with a Grand Durbar of Chiefs and Queen Mothers at the office of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs in Wa.
World Tourism Day was designated by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in September 1979, with the commemoration to commence in 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism: the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September 1970.
GTA Engages Stakeholders On Draft Standards For Multi-Purpose Establishments
On Wednesday, 17th August, 2022, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) engaged stakeholders on the draft standards for Multi-Purpose Establishments. The discussions aimed at registration and licensing regime of Multi-Purpose Establishments which includes Conference Centres, Convention / Exhibition Centres, Event Centres, Banquet Facilities, etc.
As part of his opening remarks, the Deputy Chief Executive / Operations, Mr. Ekow Sampson stated that the Authority deemed it appropriate to engage the leadership of Events and Meetings Professionals Association of Ghana (EMPAG) as well as Event Vendors Association of Ghana (EVAG) on the subject matter.
Mr. Alex Boakye, the Director of Standards and Quality Assurance addressing the meeting noted that Multi- Purpose Establishment refers to any premises hired out for the purpose of holding functions such as meetings, conferences, conventions, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, banquets, social events and any related function which is not part of any registered accommodation establishment. He stated that the regulations will come into force after it has been passed by Parliament.
The President of EMPAG and EVAG, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade and Kate Hassan respectively expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Authority for engaging them appropriately to ensure a fair representation of the Industry Professionals in the drafting stage of the document. The leadership of EMPAG and EVAG assured the meeting that they will also in turn engage their members on further deliberations in order to have appropriate inputs where necessary.
The meeting unanimously agreed to take into careful consideration the ff: Health and Safety, Risk Assessment and Management (Risk Test), Insurance, etc. A strategy would be put in place to conduct sensitization and awareness campaign for all Multi-Purpose Establishments.
Present at the deliberations were also the Solicitor Secretary of GTA, Mrs. Stella Osei, Standards and Quality Assurance Department staff of GTA; Comfort Aniagyei, Roberta Okine-Fumador, Sellassie Piphanie Tetteri, Ama Akoto and Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi of the Corporate Affairs Department, GTA.
Representing EMPAG and EVAG were also Margaret Danso Gyau, Financial Secretary of EVAG and Robert Klah, a member of EMPAG.
GTA and Queen Mothers Foundation Host Eat Ghana Fair with Celebrity Cooking Competition
Accra, August 4, 2022
The Ghana Tourism Authority in Partnership with the Queen Mothers Founders Foundation and Ghana Chefs Association have held the ‘Eat Ghana Fair’, as part of activities marking the launch of December In GH 2022.
The one day Fair, under the auspices of the Ghana Cares program, saw Queen mothers representing all the 16 regions of Ghana converge at the La Palm Royal beach hotel to exhibit and talk about their local foods.
As part of the Ghana Cares Obaatampa Program by the Government of Ghana to support the local industry, the event was organised in partnership with the Queen mothers to showcase the wide variety of Ghanaian meals and promote their consumption. The meals were prepared by the Chefs Association and displayed with labels, and dished out by the queen mothers to patrons of the Fair and the ‘December In GH’ 2022 launch.
Adorned in their royal regalia, the Queen mothers processed beautifully to the venue and took time to explain the health and nutritional elements of their meals as well as the basic ingredients to the public.
The ‘Eat Ghana Fair’ according to Akwasi Agyeman, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, was held to promote the consumption of Ghanaian foods to support the local economy.
Over 30 Queen Mothers served meals including Fanti Fanti, Omu tuo, Ga kenkey, Acheke, Ebunu Ebunu, Ampesi, Kontomire, Fufu, Tuo zaafi, Omu tuo, Fomfom Etew, Borodee eto, Tubaani and many more.
As part of the event, some celebrities participated in a Jollof cooking competition. The celebrities included Ghanaian broadcaster and fashion designer Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), Comedian and Actor Kalybos, Counsellor Lutterodt and veteran actor, Fred Amugi.
The celebrities were supported by students from the Teshie Technical Training Centre to compete for the bragging rights of who could cook the best Jollof.
At the end of the about 1 hour competition, the judges from the Ghana Chefs Association adjudged the contestants as follows:
1st place – Kalybos
2nd place- KOD
3rd place – Counsellor Lutterodt
4th place- Fred Amugi
Participants including the students were each presented with hampers from Ghana Tourism Authority.
By: doncarlos2g@yahoo.com
‘December in GH’ 2022 Campaign launched
Accra August 4, 2022
The shining ‘Black Star’ of Africa is ready for you to come and celebrate your December in Ghana. Each year the holiday celebrations in Ghana keep getting bigger and attracting people from around the world. Expectations are high for this year as global tourism continues to increase. “Today as we launch ‘December in GH’ 2022, we take pride in seeing Ghana continue to be the leading country of choice for travel during the holiday season in West Africa,” said the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. “Tourism has become one of the most important sectors in Ghana’s economy and shows no sign of slowing down. We anticipate that ‘December in GH’ for 2022 will become record-breaking as more travellers take the journey to Ghana,” he said at the official launch event which took place at La Palm Royal Beach Resort on 4th August 2022.
‘December in GH’ was originally launched in 2019, during the Year of Return as a tourism activation and has since become an important part of marketing events that attract thousands to visit Ghana for the holiday season into the new year. “‘December in GH’ is one of the biggest activations in our tourism sector and one that touches on the three pillars of our ministry; tourism, arts and culture,” said Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). “Many of the events are also central to the pillars of the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative as we continue to engage with the historical diaspora community….Events in December have become flagships that attract people from around the world who plan their vacation in Ghana around event’s dates.” Despite the pandemic the last couple of years, people in the global diaspora community have continued to visit Ghana and have especially looked forward to some of the popular events that celebrate the country’s culture through music, fashion, live performances, food and culture.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, was in attendance for the launch receiving a citation for the work he has done since 2019 in bridging the gap between the diaspora and Ghana. “Ghana is important to Africa, Ghana is important to the diaspora,” he said in his address. “Once we link as a diaspora we are stronger…it’s through the African diaspora that we can succeed.” The citation was presented to him by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return secretariat. “We look forward to the continued development of our relationship with the NAACP in encouraging the diaspora to make the trip to Ghana,” Agyeman said.
Some of the industry stakeholders present at the event included the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Sackey, the Board for the Ghana Tourism Authority, Steering Committee Members for Beyond the Return, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Yofi Grant and the Director of the National Commission on Culture, Edna Nyame. Along with industry stakeholders, some event organizers were also in attendance at the launch. Some of the events returning for this year include Afrochella, Afro Nation, Akwaaba UK, Rhythms on da Runway, Kids in Tourism, GT Bank Concern, BHIM Concert, Joyful Way and A Taste of Ghana. There are some exciting new events also added to this year’s calendar of events, which will soon to be announced in the coming weeks.
By Ivy Prosper
Sekondi-Takoradi prepares for December In GH
The Western Regional Coordinating Council led by the Regional Minister , Hon Kobby Okyere Darko Mensah and the Ghana Tourism Authority have held a stakeholder engagement with Event Organisers, the Masqueraders Federation, Tour operators, Captains of media, hoteliers, food vendors and academia on the “Takoradi – city of Christmas project”.
The project in its third year also falls in line with the planned December in GH program being championed by the Ghana Tourism Authority as part of the Beyond the Return Project.
Welcoming the participants, the Regional Minister reiterated the committmenr of the RCC to make the Western Region the number one tourism destination in Ghana and called on all practitioners to team up with the Regional Adminstration to make this feasible. The Ghana Tourism Authority through its CEO also pledged its commitment to work in partnership with the Tourism Stakeholders to make the Takoradi Christsms city project, anchored on the masquareders parade a success.
The line up of activities starting from December 19 through to Jan 2, 2023 includes musical concerts, daily masquareders parades, trade exhibition, football matches amongst others.
Ghana Tourism Authority & TOCO Ready For ‘Hands Across Africa’ Pre-Emancipation Day Festival
Accra, Ghana: Tuesday 16th July 2022–
Ghana Tourism Authority and They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has announced “The Pre-Emancipation Day Festival” dubbed Hands Across Africa scheduled to take place Saturday 23rd July 2022 at the National Theatre, Accra.
Hands Across Africa is an initiative by the Ghana registered foundation; They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) of H.E Taj Weekes, a Goodwill Ambassador of the Government of Saint Lucia and UNICEF Ambassador for children in the Eastern Caribbean, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Beyond the Return Secretariat, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Diaspora Affairs (Office of the President) and YOKS Investments.
The initiative focuses on changing the life chances of marginalized and under-privileged youth using engagement and mentorship through sports, creative arts and other educational enrichment and support programs.
It carries cultural exchange and a social agenda to raise funds to help close gaps of need in education, youth at risk and public health across the African continent.
This involves a group of international reggae and local artistes collaborating to stage a series of festivals – mass concerts and expos, to raise funds that will go directly to support non-profit programs for human empowerment, poverty alleviation and social support by vetted agencies of state, local government, and humanitarian missions to vulnerable communities.
A number of illustrious names from the Reggae industry – both internationally and from Africa are associated with this Festival. Therefore, a secondary objective of the initiative is foster collaboration between international and local artists and ultimately broaden the professional network of our African counterparts. This year’s grand festival and expo event promises to be super exciting as legendary artistes;
Taj Weekes : A singer and songwriter who heads a dynamic reggae band named, Adowa. He is also an unwavering, energetic humanitarian, who founded his children’s charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). Taj Weeks personality is summarized as Musician, Poet, Humanitarian.
Eric Donaldson : Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. He pursued a solo career, and submitted “Cherry Oh Baby” to the 1971 Jamaican Festival Song Competition, going on to win the competition and giving him a big Jamaican hit single. He has won the competition six times.
Okyeame Kwame : Ghanaian rap doctor, musician, songwriter, creative director and entrepreneur.
MzVee : Ghanaian singer, Afropop, dancehall and R&B artiste who has several notable awards to her credit.
Black Rasta : Ghanaian reggae/Kuchoko artiste, dub poet and a radio presenter of Zylofon FM.
As well as other notable artistes would be present.
Tickets Are Available
Kindly Dial *713*33*872# or visit https://egtks.com/e/34165
For More Enquiries, visit www.handsacrossafrica.com
Or Call 020 879 7141
‘Hands Across Africa’ delegation Calls On Deputy Minister For Tourism Arts And Culture – Hon. Mark Okraku-Mantey
The Hands Across Africa team paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mark Okraku-Mantey on 28th June, 2022, at the Ministry.
The Goodwill Ambassador of St. Lucia, Taj Weekes who led the delegation stated that one of the major goals of this agenda is to look at the seven pillars of the Beyond The Return initiative, which is “Give Back to Ghana,” as well as donating to charity.
He also noted that the Hands Across Africa Musical Festival and Expo under the banner of THEY OFTEN CRY OUTREACH (TOCO) is in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Diaspora Affairs – Office of the President, Beyond The Return Secretariat (BTR) and Yoks Investment Ltd. is set to take place on July 23, 2022, at the Accra Sports Stadium under the theme, “Re-igniting the Spirit of Emancipation”.
He revealed that some of the Top International and Ghana’s finest artists who will be performing at the Hands Across Africa Music Festival and Expo are; MzVee, Brinsley Forde (Aswad), Eric Donaldson, Okyeame Kwame, DSP Kofi Sarpong, Blakk Rasta, Roc Riva, Taj Weekes and many more.
The Deputy Minister, Hon. Mark Okraku- Mantey, as part of his remarks, assured the team that the Ministry is ready to support TOCO FOUNDATION AND HANDS ACROSS AFRICA to achieve their stated objectives and vision in Ghana.
He noted that the Ministry is delighted to have Mr. Taj Weekes (Founder of TOCO Foundation) and his wife, Mrs Angela Serieux Weekes and that Ghana is ready to welcome diasporans into our communities because we, Ghanaians, want to give them a sense of belonging.
He added that Ghanaians recognize them as part of us and will be delighted to collaborate with them as one people because we are all Africans.
The Deputy Minister urged the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return Secretariat as well as the Private Sector, GHATOF and the Trade Associations to also give TOCO FOUNDATION and HANDS ACROSS AFRICA the necessary push to make the Musical Concert and Expo a success. He took the opportunity to invite Ghanaians to the 2022 Emancipation Day Celebrations under the theme, ” Our Heritage, Our Strength” and sub-themed, “Re-engaging to consolidate our developmental agenda”.
He assured Mr Taj weekes and his wife of the Ministry’s support and thanked them for their philanthropic work and concert they have put together to give back to the Ghanaian society.
Since Taj Weekes and his team were in Ghana for the Year of Return and now Beyond the Return, he assured them that the Ministry is currently working on the Homeland Return Bill that would allow diasporans to be fully integrated into the Ghanaian society to have a permanent abode in the country when finally passed by Parliament. This will give our fellow Diasporans the opportunity to have privileges that every Ghanaian enjoys thereby giving them an Identity.
The Founder and Executive Director of TOCO, Taj Weekes, a Goodwill Ambassador of the Government of Saint Lucia and UNICEF Ambassador for children in the Eastern Caribbean expressed appreciation to the Deputy Minister, Hon. Mark Okraku – Mantey for the opportunity to outline their vision and support from the Ministry in diverse ways.
He was emphatic that The Hands Across Africa Festival and Expo is conceptualized as a cross- continent initiative starting in Ghana and its aim and objective is to establish the youth and Sports Development Programs and also to support in providing funded international football scholarship programmes
He noted that both Local and International charitable organizations are collaborating to bring relief to the Ghanaian youth. The social outreach initiative called Hands Across Africa by They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has it’s overarching philosophy that children are our collective heritage; ones we should safeguard with inclusion and affirmation strategies.
HANDS ACROSS AFRICA (Festival & Expo) leverages its platform to help the youth to expand their network and through this exposure, imagine new possibilities, which can create a shift in the trajectory of their lives. The premiere edition will take place in Ghana on 23rd July, 2022 (TOCO Foundation https://www.theyoftencryoutreach).
Taj Weekes confirmed that the charity has provided 76 football scholarships to children in the Caribbean, and that they are in Ghana to replicate the charitable work they have been doing there.
His Excellency Taj Weekes added that Hands Across Africa focuses on cultural exchange and social intervention programs to raise funds in supporting society to reduce socio – economic gaps related to needs such as Education,under privileged children, young persons with disabilities and Public health concerns in Ghana and across the African continent. Proceeds from the Concert however, will go to charity.
Present in the meeting were Goodwill Ambassador, Taj Weekes (Founder and Chairman of TOCO Foundation – Hands Across Africa), Mrs Angela Serieux Weekes (Co-Founder and Creative Director of TOCO Foundation – Hands Across Africa), Mr. Seth Ocran( President of Car Rentals Association, (YOKS Investments) and President, TOCO Foundation Ghana), Rev. Jones Aruna Nelson (Director, Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority), Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi (Principal CA Officer, GTA), Mrs Constance Adomaa Takyi (PRO, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture ), Elorm Beenie, Creative Content Director of Hands Across Africa, and Duah Janet Princess , National Service Personal at the Ministry
GTA Senior Staff Association embark on week celebration to promote domestic tourism
The Ghana Tourism Authority’s Senior Staff Association begins its maiden edition of ‘SSA WEEK’ celebrations from 1st to 5th July, 2022.
The week-long programme which is in consonance with the Authority’s mandate in promoting domestic tourism in Ghana is under the theme, ‘DOMESTIC TOURISM – A PANACEA FOR GHANA’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT’.
The ‘SSA WEEK’ celebration begins on the 1st July, 2022 with a clean-up exercise at the Shining and Labadi beaches and by a trip to the Volta Region from 2nd to 5th July, 2022. Some of the attraction sites to be visited include; Afadjato Mountain, Gemi Falls, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Akortor Slave Market and many others.
The Senior Staff Association will also participate in the Public Private Partnership Forum (PPPF) – Under the Theme: “Leveraging African Continental Free Trade Area to Increase Tourism and Investment to Accelerate Socio-Economic Transformation” on Monday 4th July 2022.
During the PPP Forum, there will also be a panel discussion on the following topics:
- Opportunities in AFcFTA For Tourism and Hospitality Industry by Representative from AFcFTA
- Exploring Investment Opportunities to Take Advantage of AFcFTAby the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre – Mr. Yoofi Grant
The PANELISTS include: Mr. Yoofi Grant (CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre), Rep from AFcFTA, Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah (Director/Product Development & Investment, GTA), Kingsley Boateng Owusu (Ecobank Ghana Limited), Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike (President, Ghana Hotels Association)
This is part of the efforts to update GTA staff with what the Volta Region has to offer in the way of beautiful tourist sites, such as the ecotourism in our drive to promote domestic tourism across the length and breadth of the country.
The Senior Staff Association of the Ghana Tourism Authority is constituted of senior level staff within the Authority.
Call Center: 0307007100