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Ghana Tourism Authority, AFROCHELLA sign Memorandum of Understanding
Accra, May 12, 2022
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the AFROCHELLA Team to strengthen the already existing conversation on promoting Ghana’s tourism potentials.
The MoU, under the directive of the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, is also to allow the two institutions to collaborate and support each other to attract more tourists into the country annually, and work towards making Ghana the preferred destination in the world.
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, the Tourism Minister, said through the MoU, the GTA and the AFROCHELLA Team would have a stronger conversation now and not limit tourism to fun and leisure but as an opportunity for trade and investment.
He said Ghana’s environment was safe for both local and international tourists to do business and invest, adding that they could take the opportunity to promote Ghana’s attractions from forts to castles, to beaches, parks among others.
He said the Ministry’s target was to bring in two million people into the country annually, and as such charged the team through their AFROCHELLA Festival to bring in more than 20,000 people into the country this year.
Dr Awal said, “Since the inception of the AFROCHELLA Festival six years ago, you have demonstrated a lot and we know that you can achieve this target. Our current image alone makes people want to come into the country, so support us with your network to bring in these people to have fun, leisure, do business and invest.”
“We must move as a country from our current state to the desired destination, and tourism is the key to getting Ghana to that destination.”
He pledged the Ministry and the GTA’s support to the team to achieving its target and making Ghana the preferred tourism destination.
The Minister later decorated and unveiled the team as tourism goodwill ambassadors to help promote Ghana’s tourism globally.
Mr Abdul Karim Mohammed Awal Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, AFROCHELLA, said the festival was one that celebrated African culture as a whole and the signing of the MoU with the GTA was a further step to improving on its mandate.
He said the aim was to make Ghana one of the biggest gateways to Africa through their festival which had already drawn a lot of attention to the country, saying with the official support from government and the Ministry now, they hope to strengthen that bond and bring in more people and development to the country.
“This year our target is to have over 20,000 people come to the festival, so with this partnership and the Minister outdooring us as tourism ambassadors we are hopeful of achieving this target and even more by bringing more attention to the festival and Ghana as a whole.”
Mr Abdullah said in the diaspora people were looking forward for opportunities to come back home to invest and stay, adding the festival provided the right opportunity to get them into the country to trade and invest and improve the local economy.
He expressed appreciation to the GTA for the continuous support over the years and assured that this year’s festival which would be held for two days would drive into the country the right people to invest in the country’s economy.
Other members of the AFROCHELLA team include, Mr Ken Agyapong Jr, Mr Edward Asafu Adjaye Kobina, Vernell Akyeampong and Alvin Bekoe.
AFROCHELLA is a Ghana-based festival designed to highlight and elevate thrilling and thriving millennial talent from and within Africa. The festival features a festive celebration of Ghanaian culture in the form of art and fashion installations, live painting, the best of African cuisine, live performances, among others.
Source: GNA
Asamoah Gyan unveiled as Tourism Goodwill Ambassador by Minister
Accra, May 12, 2022
The Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal on Thursday unveiled Asamoah Gyan as one of Ghana’s Tourism Goodwill Ambassadors.
The Minister, during a short ceremony to unveil the renowned footballer, said Gyan had gained prominence over the world and it was important to appreciate him as a country and tap into his expertise and connections around the world to promote Ghana’s tourism.
He said as a tourism goodwill ambassador, it was important for him to identify local tourist sites in Ghana patronize and advertise them for people both locally and internationally, to be attracted to them and visit them regularly.
“Be the light for Ghana’s tourism. When you visit such places, portray good images about them and show to the world though your influential social media handles, for people to be encouraged to also visit, and it will have a great impact on the Ghanaian economy.”
Mr Gyan commended the Minister and government for reposing in him such confidence to be able to project Ghana’s tourism in the global space.
He said as a footballer, he had gone a long way in his career to project Ghana to the world and would try his best to also showcase Ghana tourism in anyway.
Mr Gyan assured the Minister that he would not relent in his efforts to use his exposure and expertise to help portray Ghana’s tourism destination globally not only to improve the local economy, but also to make Ghana the preferred tourism destination in the world.
“I have been a very patriotic citizen for the nation, and this unveiling has come at a right time for me, and I am hopeful and ready to deliver to the admiration of all Ghanaians.”
Source: GNA
PAHM and UNESCO to launch the first ever Pan African Digital Museum
Pan African Heritage Museum Names More Patrons
The Pan African Heritage World Museum Foundation has named three more Patrons ahead of the launch of its digital museum on May 5. The new members are ex-President of Botswana, His Excellency Seretse Khama Ian Khama, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, Asantehene, and Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former UN Secretary General’sRepresentative in West Africa and SAHEL.
The three join the Council of Patrons of the Museum which includes the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Nigeria, His Royal Majesty Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II, the Kabaka of Buganda in Uganda, Sir Dr Sam Jonah of Ghana,and Dr Mamphela Ramphele of South Africa.
The Pan African Heritage Museum, the first of its kind going digital ahead of the physical construction in Ghana, is showcasing the history, arts, culture of Africa from Ancient Egypt to the present contemporary Pan Africa.
The May 5 Event is in collaboration with UNESCO which has declared the day African World Heritage Day to give opportunity for people of the world, and particularly of Africa, to celebrate the continent’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
The Pan African Heritage World Museum foundation, which is building the Pan African Heritage Museum, is an international, not-for-profit, non-political, non-governmental organization, registered in Ghana, with branches around the world, to create the environment to preserve and curate the unique history, arts, culture and indigenous knowledge of Africans and people of African descent.
“I am excited that eminent personalities in Africa and the African Diaspora are moved tp provide support and more dignity to a vision which is a legacy to the youth of the world”, says Kojo Yankah, Founder and Executive Chairman of the project, adding: “We will announce more patrons in August this year”.
Released by the Communication Department of PAHM (www.pahmuseum.org)
Odeefuo goes home this weekend
The Burial rites for the Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, who passed away in December 2015 is scheduled to be held in Dunkwa and Jukwa from Sunday 24th to Saturday 30th April 2022 . In the build up to the events lined up, women groups in the Denkyira Kingdom have been embarking on mourning processions (empre) heralding the homecoming of a warrior (The late King) on Sunday 24th April at the Boa Amponsem Ahenfie in Dunkwa.
The Denkyira Traditional Council will sit in state to receive Dignitaries. Corporate Organisations, Chiefs and Traditional Leaders from across the country will attend the events culminating in The King’s burial in Jukwa the Traditional capital on Saturday 30th April 2022.
Both the President and the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana are expected to mourn with Denkyiraman .
President Akufo-Addo Launches European Market Targeted “Destination Ghana” Campaign
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 3rd April 2022, launched one of his government’s flagship projects in our tourism sector, dubbed “Destination Ghana”, in London, United Kingdom.
The “Destination Ghana” London event is the first in a series of activities of the “Destination Ghana” project, which has, at its core, the objective of inviting and welcoming the rest of the world to visit Ghana.
Building on the successes of the Year of Return, and with the slow but steady recovery being witnessed in the tourism sector, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Akufo-Addo noted that interest in nature-based adventure and leisure tourism has grown, offering new opportunities to visitors.
“Ghana has an abundance of these offerings, and that is what we are here to present to the world, using our historical connection with the United Kingdom as a launchpad,” the President said.
He was of the belief that the tourism industry offers a great avenue to deepen Ghana-Britain relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries, adding that “we can turn the tourism and hospitality industry into a major tool for the positive transformation of the Ghanaian economy, and into a win-win situation for investors”.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “Ghana is not only gifted with a rich culture, but is also the best place for doing business in West Africa, as well as the safest and most stable country in the Region, with a governance system that rests on the separation of powers, with an independent Judiciary promoting accountability in public life, and that respects the rule of law, human rights and the principles of democratic accountability. Indeed, she has been for several years the recipient of the largest foreign direct investments in West Africa.”
To this end, the President Akufo-Addo indicated that Ghana, over the last few years, in addition to the abundance of natural resources, has embarked on a product improvement plan, where several tourist sites in the country are currently undergoing site renovations.
These, he said, include the Aburi Botanical Gardens, modelled after the famous Kew Botanical Garden here in London, the Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Museum and the Kente Museum, both in Kumasi.
“Further, an aggressive sector skills development process, under the Ghana CARES Obaatanpa Programme, the one hundred billion cedi (GH¢100 billion) post-COVID economic recovery programme of the country, is currently ongoing, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its implementing agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority,” he added.
This year alone, President Akufo-Addo revealed that some $25 million would be expended to upgrade some of our iconic sites, including the famous Elmina and Cape Coast Castles, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Mole and Kakum Parks, and cultural Museums in Yendi in the Northern Region, Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, Akropong in the Eastern Region, and Ho in the Volta Region, under the Ghana Tourism Development Project, supported by the World Bank.
In addition to this, the President noted that funds will be directly injected into supporting SMEs in the hospitality and beverage sector, with negotiations currently ongoing with the World Bank.
“This forty-million-dollar ($40 million) project is expected to position the tourism and hospitality sectors as key drivers of social and economic development. Some of the benefits that the project is expected to bring are an enriched access to Ghana’s tourism market, better provision of tourism products and services, and the upgrading of skills in the labour force in the tourism, arts, and culture sector,” he added.
Ghana, the President said, needs the support of business partners the world over, and challenged the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its agencies to ride on the back of the “Destination Ghana” project to help attract, by 2024, one million tourists annually from Britain and Europe.
“I have made my contribution by lifting, a week ago, virtually all the COVID-19 restrictions, including the opening of all Ghana’s borders, to enhance movements in and out of Ghana, whilst still maintaining the hygiene protocols, like the wearing of face masks at indoor gatherings,” he added.
“I want to invite you, here in London and Britain, Europe and the rest of the world, to the CENTRE OF THE WORLD, where longitude zero degrees crosses latitude zero degrees; where the bright sunshine enriches the quality of the skin and bodies of all; where music, dance and culture not only create fun, but also excite the body, soul and mind for spiritual growth. Indeed, I welcome you to Ghana, the CENTRE OF THE WORLD, to enjoy our famed hospitality, and take advantage of our favourable investment climate,” the President added.
Source: presidency.gov.gh
Ghana set to Launch Destination Ghana Tourism campaign
Pan African Heritage World Launches First Digital Museum
The Pan African Heritage World Museum, being constructed in Ghana, is launching the first digital museum in the world on May 5, 2022.
The event coincides with the UNESCO-declared African World Heritage Day which is an opportunity for people of the world, and particularly Africans, to celebrate the continent’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
The Pan African Heritage World Museum, also known as Pan African Heritage Museum, is an international NGO-registered project inaugurated by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, to provide the environment to preserve and curate the unique history, arts, culture and indigenous knowledge of Africans and people of African descent.
Projected to be completed for commissioning in August 2023, the Museum’s promoters have created the Digital Version of the galleries for public viewing to start from May 5, 2022.
The Launch event, being held in collaboration with UNESCO, will be beamed worldwide from the campus of the African University College of Communications, in Accra, Ghana. Speakers expected at the function include the UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Mr Diallo Abdourahamane, and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. Messages are expected from Representatives of the African Union Commission, Diaspora African Forum, All-Africa Students Union, Young African Leaders Forum, and the Association of African American Museums.
“This is a unique moment for us”, says the Museum Founder and Executive Chairman Kojo Yankah; “we are making history, not just in presenting for the first time the history, culture arts and achievements of Africans and people of African descent in one museum, we are also breaking grounds in giving the world the first Digital Museum ahead of physical construction”.
Professor Molefi Kete Asante of Temple University and chairman of the Curatorial Board of the Pan African Heritage Museum, adds :”We are proud of our African heritage….this is a great event for us”.
The event will be available from the Museum’s website : www.pahmuseum.org
Contact: Ruby Ofori, Communication Coordinator rubyofori@pahmuseum.org
GTA Engages Stakeholders, Event Organizers On Kwahu Paragliding Festival
The Ghana Tourism Authority has engaged with Event Organizers and Stakeholders in Accra to look at ways of bringing them together to organize the 2022 Kwahu Paragliding festival.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Agyeman, in addressing the gathering said, ‘GTA in consultation with the necessary authorities intends to organize the Paragliding festival. He said this year’s event will not be business as usual but most importantly, it will be streamlined as follows: licensing of event organizers, merchandising, adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols among others’.
Traditional Authorities, the Islamic Authorities, Council of Churches, Immigration, Fire Service, Police, Ambulance, NADMO among others have been engaged ahead of time by GTA to ensure a successful celebration after the two year break due to Covid-19 and it’s accompanying restrictions.
He also added that the Authority will be producing a Kwahu Easter Guide which seeks to inform tourists and the general public about the various events and activities and other vital information about the upcoming festivities. Hoteliers, event organisers and other stakeholders will also have the opportunity of advertising in this guide.
The Paragliding event is set to be launched on 16th March, 2022. The proposed fee for flying is GH¢550. This include GH¢50 for Rapid test for passengers before they are allowed to fly.
A Local Organising Committee (LOC) have been put in place to do the underground work. They include representatives from the District and Municipal Assemblies, Kwahu Traditional Authority and other Institutions.
Other activities earmarked for the event are hot air balloon, food bazaar, Kwahu Gwaso, pool parties, musical concerts, church service and the like.
Other personalities present at the meeting were Mr. Ekow Sampson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Operations, GTA, Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah, Director of Planning, Development & Investment, GTA, Mrs. Alisa Osei Asamoah, President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Mr. Seth Ocran, President of Car Rentals Association of Ghana.
The rest are Mr. Ahmed Naaman, CEO of Dodi Travels, Mr. Jones Nelson, Director of Corporate Affairs, GTA , Mr. Emmanuel Frimpong, Executive Secretary of Ghana Tourism Federation, representatives from the the Tour Guides Association, Multimedia and Angel group of Companies
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