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Ghana Hotels Association honours President Akufo-Addo
The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has honoured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for demonstrating visionary and exemplary leadership in declaring ‘The Year of Return’ and ensuing its successful execution in 2019.
The Association presented a plaque and a citation christened “Significant Contribution Award” to the President for ensuring that the ‘Year of Return’ initiative impacted significantly on the tourism and hospitality sector and set the stage for accelerated growth of the industry.
The citation read, “For demonstrating strategic foresight in declaring ‘Beyond the Return” to expand and harness the Ghanaian Diaspora dividend for the economic development of the nation in line with the Ghana Beyond Aid policy.
For demonstrating empathetic leadership by promoting domestic tourism for the expansion of the tourism and hospitality market in Ghana”.
The event took place at the 4th GHA awards ceremony in Accra to celebrate deserving hoteliers and personalities who have distinguished themselves in 2019.
The programme was held under the theme: “Reducing Hotel Rates in Ghana: Role of Government and Hotel Operators”.
Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff, who received the award and in a statement read on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, commended the Association for the honour done him saying “ I am truly humbled and very grateful’.
President Akufo-Addo on September 2018 at the Washington Press Club in the United States proclaimed 2019 as the “Year of Return” which commemorated the 400th anniversary of the time when the first 20 West African slaves were brought to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which subsequently became part of the United States of America, thereby initiating one of the most unfortunate and barbaric Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
The President said 2019 was a monumental year for the tourism industry as there was a steady flow of visitors, rising to a crescendo in December 2019.
He said throughout the year, businesses across the value chain-airlines, hotels, car rentals, and restaurants reported a significant growth in numbers, adding that through the initiative and backed by a strong marketing push, the country had seen a year-on-year increase in hotel occupancy rate.
Some hotels were on record to have experienced more than double the occupancy rate than they did the year before.
To sustain the interest and solidify the impact of the ‘Year of Return’, President Akufo-Addo announced another initiative, “Beyond the Return” which is a 10-year programme that seeks to influence several core areas of the country’s relationship with the diaspora and provide business opportunities across the tourism value chain.
He said Ghana was chosen by the African Union to host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing that the opportunity would boost the tourism and hospitality sector greatly and urged the hotels to maximize the full benefits of the initiative.
President Akufo-Addo said the theme underscores the need for shared responsibility between the public and private sector players in order to deal with the challenges confronting the industry.
“I have asked the Madam Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture to fast-track the ongoing discussions with the Trade, Industry and Tourism Sub-Committee of Parliament on the challenges that the multiplicity of regulatory mandates and fees poses to hoteliers”.
“We must all work together through engagements to ensure that we keep hotel prices down and thereby lay a solid foundation for the growth of the Ghanaian tourism industry”, he said.
AMC Cinemas to show Ghanaian-Caribbean film ‘Joseph’ across US
It’s the first time a Ghanaian-Caribbean co-production has received major mainstream US theatrical release traditionally reserved for Hollywood movies.
AMC which owns over 1000 theatres with over 11,000 screens in Europe and America is by far the largest theatre chain in the World. The AMC teams were so moved by the subject matter and production quality of the film, they are excited to show audiences across the US and possibly around the world this culturally relevant and timely film.
The dramatic feature film ‘Joseph’ opens in Ghanaian cinemas from Friday, January 24 at Silverbird Cinemas, Accra Mall and West Hill, Watch & Dine, Kumasi City Mall and Global Cinemas, Weija.
Joseph tells the dramatic story of a successful, young doctor in Jamaica, haunted by childhood memories of his beloved grandfather in Accompong, the Maroon village founded by runaway slaves. Despite the family conflict caused by Joseph’s curiosity about his Ashanti origins and the death of Kweku, his close friend from Ghana, Joseph is determined to travel to West Africa and discover his true identity.
Joseph’s highly symbolic journey mirrors the pilgrimage made by many Caribbean and African-American people to the slave castles of the Cape Coast, curious to learn more about their African roots. Similarly, the movie is certain to spark the curiosity of many Ghanaians wanting to know more about their long-lost ‘cousins’ who live in far-away lands but still retain many aspects of their African identity.
In fact, several remarks were made at the premiere about the similarities in culture and lifestyle between Jamaica, Barbados and Ghana, and the positive portrayal of Africa in the film.
As excitement about the film grows, ‘Joseph’ was the opening film for the ongoing Barbados International Film Festival BIFF. It opened to a five (5) minute standing ovation amidst emotional tears and was released to never-ending long lines of eager fans across the Island.
‘Joseph’ is set to be released in 43 cinemas across Nigeria, also on January 24, the same day as in Ghana.
‘Joseph’ will open in Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana and all the other Islands in the Caribbean. The cultural ministers have requested it to be shown in high schools and universities as well.
The film has been selected for screening at the largest Black film festival in the USA, the prestigious Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles, 11-23 February.
‘Joseph’ is co-written and directed by veteran award-winning Director Marcia Weekes (Chrissy, Barrow Freedom Fighter). Joseph’s cast includes Jamaican star Kevoy Burton, Ghanaian/Nigerian Super Star Mawuli Gavor, Sika Osei, Harold, Soca Queen Alison Hinds, R&B star Shontelle Layne, Ms Malaika Miriam Owusu-Poku etc.
Amongst the executive producers are the multi award-winning Ghanaian production duo behind Beast of No Nation and Black Earth Rising, Tony Tagoe & Danny Damah. These two producers continue to raise the flag of Ghana really high when it comes to international standard production with global appeal. Ghana needs more films from them.
National Chocolate Day 2020 Celebration Launched
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in partnership with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and Cocoa Processing Company have launched this year’s National Chocolate Day.
At the launch of the event today at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi whose speech was read by Madam Adelaide Ahwireng; Chairperson of the Ghana Tourism Authority said it is important for all Ghanaians to promote the consumption of Made in Ghana chocolate and cocoa based products and also position cocoa and the chocolate experience as a strong element of the Ghana tourism experience. This has been largely successful and the National Chocolate Day is now an important feature of the tourism calendar of events.
The National Chocolate Day which falls on February 14 was instituted by the Ministry of Tourism in 2005 under the leadership of Hon. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey of blessed memory, in collaboration with GTA, COCOBOD and Cocoa Processing company and other stakeholders to create awareness of the health benefits of cocoa-based chocolate products and to promote the consumption of Ghanaian Chocolate and increase in domestic tourism. Mr Isaac Adomako-Mensah, the Deputy Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Ghana Tourism Authority appreciated the support of some sponsors namely, Alisa Hotels and Stedna School of Baking and Confectionery and stressed on the contribution of this event which has come to stay and has become part of the tourism calendar of events.
The Marketing Manager of the Cocoa Processing Company, Nana Agyeman Ansong stated that Ghana Cocoa is known as the best in the world and also the Ghana Chocolate has become a National Cultural Identity. He took the opportunity to outline the several new brands of products the company has outdoored to meet the varying tastes of the public.
The 2020 National Chocolate Day is under the theme, “My Chocolate Experience, My holistic Wellbeing’”. Activities for the celebration of the National Chocolate Day have begun with a digital campaign competition by the GTA with the HashTag, #MyChocolateExperience#ChocolateDay2020#EatGhana.
‘Year of Return’ draws thousands to Ghana’s stand at Vakantiebeurs 2020
Ghana’s biggest branding campaign “Year of Return” ended last year with heritage tourism being the core pull factor for the African American population. It will go down as one of the country’s biggest branding and tourism campaign and its effect were felt around the globe.
The country’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who launched the project in America in 2018 has opened the new chapter which seeks to build on the goodwill the country has enjoyed to drive Diaspora investment into the West African country.
He launched the “Beyond the Return “ initiative and the Ghana Tourism Authority is expected to play a key role in the execution of this initiative.
Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) annually embarks on several marketing campaigns in its source markets. While there are new areas they seek to explore, GTA is equally keen to consolidate markets that have naturally been considered key to its marketing strategies.
The Netherlands is one of the countries they often showcase the country’s tourism assets. It’s capital, Amsterdam is connected to Accra daily by KLM and adds up to the factors which influence their choices. Vakantiebeurs Consumer Holiday Fair was the first stop for the Authority.
Millennials’ excitement about Ghana
Year of Return might have ended but the collateral success is still attracting people to Ghana. During the show, Millennials’ who visited Ghana’s stand were looking to visit Ghana at some point during the summer holidays. They made mention of programs such as Afrochella and AfroNation as some of the events they want to participate in.
Root/Heritage Tourism
The Suriname community in the Netherlands see Ghana as their natural home and can’t get enough of the rich Ghanaian culture.
Business & strategic meetings
The CEO of the GTA Akwasi Agyeman and his team held several meetings with hospitality and tourism institutions to explore a partnership to the benefit of Ghana’s burgeoning tourism sector.
Ghana Day Reception
The Ghana Day celebration has become one of the social events GTA holds to showcase the gastronomy of the country as well as the display of rich Ghanaian music and dance. Once again, the Year of Return vibe attracted hundreds of trade and consumers to the Ghana stand. Ghana’s Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Sophia Honar Sam led the cultural dancers with “Adowa” dance.
Private Sector Participation
M&J Travel and Tours
Jolinaiko Eco Tours
Exotic Adventures Ltd
Prospects of Netherlands-Belgium Markets
The GTA CEO in his remark to the press at the just ended exhibition said, they would like to continue the marketing efforts in the Netherlands and also encourage diasporans and Ghanaians living in the Netherlands to come home and invest in the country’s economy since it offers a better return on investment.
Source: Voyages Afriq
‘Beyond the Return’: Afro-Nation Festival to stay in Ghana for 5 years
The Ghana Tourism Authority, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, and Event Horizon, Organisers of the Afro-Nation Festival, on Monday, 20th January 2020, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Ghana to play host to “the biggest urban music beach festival in the world” for the next five years.
The MoU, which was signed by Mr. Akwasi, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and Obi Asika, CEO of Event Horizon, was witnessed by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in London, on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit.
The signing of the MoU is part of a number of plans Ghana is putting in place, as it kick-starts the “Beyond the Return” project.
‘Beyond the Return’ aims to engage Africans in the Diaspora and all persons of African descent more positively in areas such as trade and investment co-operation, and skills and knowledge development.
The MoU will also allow the Ghana Tourism Authority and any governmental ministry, agency or authority it deems necessary to on behalf of the Government of Ghana, oversee all designs, content and production of Merchandise for the Afro-Nation Ghana Project.
The parties have also agreed, in preparation for the event every year, to establish a Local Organising Committee, comprising of representatives of each of the parties or their affiliates for the Afro-Nation Ghana Project with the LOC, amongst other duties, to be stated in the binding document responsible for securing additional sponsorship for the project.
In his remarks, after the signing of the MoU, Obi Asika stated that “Ghana is a welcoming destination, and we were happy with the warm reception we received since we took Afro-Nation to the country. The President’s commitment to the project is unparalleled, and we look forward to another successful event in December 2020“.
On his part, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman said “Afro-Nation is amongst one of the key events on which we are anchoring the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative. We want to make Ghana the number one entertainment destination in Africa. December in Ghana will never be the same again”.
About Beyond The Return
Beyond the Return” is a follow-up to the successful Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ campaign which commemorated the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in Jamestown Virginia in 1619. The landmark campaign also celebrated the resilience of the African over the past 400 years and welcomed all people of African origin to return to Africa especially Ghana.
How Ghana’s historic homecoming is changing Africa
They all have one thing in common: they answered Ghana’s call to come home.
A new Harlem Renaissance
Ghana is having a moment and some describe it as akin to the Harlem Renaissance, the 1920s movement in the United States that’s credited with revolutionizing African-American arts and culture.
Ana Lucia Araujo, Professor of History at Howard University, says what’s happening in Africa now correlates almost identically with the Harlem experience.
“The Harlem Renaissance was a time when African culture and arts were finally being valued during a period when segregation and racism ran rampant in America,” Araujo told CNN.
“We are finding now that the diaspora wants to experience their culture and feel accepted in a place where racism is not so engrained as in many parts of the West,” she says of Ghana’s appeal.
Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo, a 35-year-old Ghanaian citizen who serves as the head of marketing for an insurance company, agrees.
“We are getting to a point where the dichotomy between Africans and the diaspora is slowly fading away,” she says. “We are all starting to see that we are all African. What is happening here is a celebration of culture and it has helped me to see that being African is so cool.”
The Pan-African movement
This is not the first time that African-Americans and the diaspora have heeded the call to come home to Africa.
Araujo says that shortly after the US abolition of slavery in the 19th century, influential leaders such as Marcus Garvey pleaded with African-Americans to return to Africa, some staying for good, including the Pan-Africanist intellectual, W.E.B. Dubois.
In 2019, Ghana ran a hugely popular Year of Return campaign to attract international visitors of Ghanaian descent.
In Accra, people from all walks of life arrived in the thousands in the last few days of 2019. Among them was the mother of megastar Beyoncé, Tina Lawson, who was visiting Ghana for the first time.
“This experience has been eye-opening,” she told CNN in Accra. “I understand now why everyone is talking about coming here. This place makes me want to heal.”
Felix Darko, 26, a German-Ghanaian computer engineer who moved to Ghana when he was eight, says the Year of Return is significant.”It was the year that Ghana jumped into the global and diaspora consciousness,” he says.
“This place is incredibly rich in culture and is also one of the more culturally relevant places to visit for the diaspora as most slaves that were taken from the continent were done so from our shores.”
‘A spiritual and birthright journey’
The Year of Return marked 400 years since the first arrival of African slaves stepped on American soil.
The Ghana Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture spearheaded the campaign, inviting the “global African family, home and abroad” to make the “landmark spiritual and birthright journey.”
Two hours west of the capital, in the Cape Coast, comedian Steve Harvey, actors Boris Kodjoe, Danny Glover and musicians T.I. and Ludacris all visited the Elmina Castle, a life-changing trip for most, who come to tour the major hub that served as the final destination in Africa for millions of slaves before being shipped overseas.
Ghana attracted a number of high profile guests in 2019, particularly in the latter part of the year in the lead up to the Year of Return festivities. In November, talkshow host Conan O’Brien traveled to Ghana where he danced with locals, Naomi Campbell took part in Jack Ma’s entrepreneur summit and Cardi B performed for fans in a December concert.
Ghana Tourism Authority’s CEO, Akwasi Agyemang, told CNN that the social, economic and media impact from Year of Return has been a “phenomenal awakening.”
A rival to Ibiza or Cape Cod?
The World Bank also notes that compared to 2018, Ghana’s economy expanded with a GDP growth rate at 6.7% in the first quarter alone, its private sector grew stronger and local businesses have seen a significant improvement, said Agyemang.
Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo said last December that the diaspora has positively impacted countries “through increased trade activities, investments and the transfer of skills.”
Ghana made 126 African-Americans and Caribbeans its citizens part of Year of Return celebrations
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo/Facebook
Asante Berko, owner of two restaurants, AM&PM and Fat Fish, at Accra’s upscale community, the Villagio, described how his businesses have been impacted in one word: “Phenomenal.”
“Sales practically tripled,” he said, adding that demand was so high that he was forced to turn people away.
But the reason behind this was more important than the business revenue, he insists. “To be a part of this movement has taught me the strength in numbers. [The diaspora] can normalize this and make this a place akin to Ibiza or Cape Cod.”
The country’s tourism authority agrees. “This is a very important time for this country,” CEO Agyemang says.
“People are now starting to make the pilgrimage here just like Jerusalem or Mecca, and we are here to welcome them if they decide to return.”
Ghanaian-American Kojo Terry Oppong, the owner of a Ghanaian lifestyle concierge service, doesn’t need any further convincing to return.
“As many of us in the diaspora experience our “moment of clarity,” he says.
“I trust that others will join me in agreeing that it is not malaria, poor infrastructure, etc… that you need to be concerned about. It is the “Ghana Bug,” which once bitten, makes you hold her dear in your heart.
“You will find yourself coming back again, and again, and again,” he says.
Source: Zaina Adamu, CNN
Akufo-Addo implores further support for “Beyond the Return”
President Akufo-Addo wants Ghanaians to extend their supportive attitude portrayed towards the “Year of Return”, to this year’s “Beyond the Return” initiative.
President Akufo-Addo believes it was due to such an attitude that the year of return was a success and he wants to see same for Beyond the Return.
A statement from the Presidency indicated that, “the welcoming attitude and the warm Ghanaian hospitality proved to be the strongest attention to hundreds of thousands of our ‘kith and kin’ from the African diaspora, who thronged our shores to commemorate the year of return.
“I urge all Ghanaians to demonstrate this same level of excitement and commitment that characterised the “Year of Return,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo initiated the Year of Return to invite all diasporans back home to not only learn more but explore and even invest in the country.
Since this initiative began many African-Americans have made their way into the country to learn more about their history. Some include Steve Harvey , Samuel L Jackson , Anthony Anderson, Micheal Jai White, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Diggy Simmons and many others.
The President launched the now “Beyond the Return” initiative as a way to continue with and solidify relations between Africans and those in the diaspora.
He said the “Year of Return’, proved itself to be exciting, and afforded Ghanaians the chance to re-establish, intensify and solidify the relations between those of us on the continent and those in the diaspora.”
He further commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other institutions and persons who made The Year of Return possible for “their sense of professionalism and dedication to duty, which enabled them to preserve the peace and security of our country in the course of the celebration.”
The President also urged Ghanaians to take advantage of all opportunities that the initiative will present as this “will entail that we engage in mutually beneficial trade, investment and cultural co-operation with the Africa Diaspora.”
Government opens ‘Sankofa Account’ for Diaspora
The Ministry of Finance has created an investment mechanism to help drive investment into the country from the Diaspora.
Known as the ‘Africa Sankofa Account or the ‘Diaspora Savings and Investment Account,’ the interest accruing banking product is targeted at Africans living abroad, who desire to invest in the Ghanaian economy.
The ministry is collaborating with universal banks to market the product targeted at institutional and retail investors in the diaspora, raking in about $3 billion.
Announcement
The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced the initiative at a media briefing in Accra yesterday, said the account was would be operational within the next three months.
The minister said MoF would engage the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) to fine-tune how to create the instrument to draw in the funds and how to get the retail impact of the investment account.
Mr Ofori-Atta said through the initiative, the government was creating a favourable environment for Africans in the diaspora to make investment contributions into the economy.
He said the account, when fully operational, would help ease the integration of the global African family abroad into the society and put Ghana on the map as the preferred investment destination.
“This is to encourage the diaspora to see themselves as Ghanaians when conducting business in Ghana or buying a land,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.
Mr Ofori Atta explained that although many people in the diaspora had the desire to invest in the economy, the challenge over the years had been how to identify the right products that did not conflict with the country’s securities rules.
As a result, he said, by the new initiative the government was seeking to encourage the full participation of the diaspora through such secure investment products.
“What is important for Ghana is how to create an instrument that enables the average or retail person as a Ghanaian, or Caribbean or African American to participate in a way that doesn’t conflict with securities rules,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.
Remittances
The desire to invest into the economy by Africans in the diaspora, according to the minister, was evident in the volume of remittance transactions that had been recorded over the past few years.
For instance, he said, remittances from the diaspora into the country had been rising from $2.4 billion in 2017 to $2.5 billion in 2018.
The amount, he said, was expected to hit $3.2 billion when data from the final quarter of 2019 was released.
Although banks have such diaspora and offshore accounts through which Ghanaians abroad and other investors channel their funds, this is the first time the government was taking advantage of the large pool of investable funds offshore that could be harnessed for long-term development.
Investment agenda
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, for her part, said the investment product was in line with the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative that was launched by President Nana Akufo-Addo last week, following the successful celebration of the ‘Year of Return’ initiative.
She said the focus of the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative was the help drive investments from the diaspora into the country to help boost the economy.
Mrs Oteng-Gyasi said many people the ministry had engaged so far were interested in making some investment commitments in the country, hence the importance of the ‘Sankofa Account’.
“The account provides an opportunity for even those with limited funds to invest in the country,” the minister said.
She, however, advised the private sector to desist from exploiting the diasporan community who had made a birthright journey home.
Tourism Authority
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Akwesi Agyeman, for his part, said the ‘Sankofa Account’ would help move the relationship between Ghana and the diaspora from a mere visit to one based on investment.
He explained that the investment product would be the springboard for the diasporan community to partake in the rebuilding of the African continent.
Beyond The Return: Popcaan acquires a home in Ghana after “Year Of Return” visit (Watch)
Popcaan did not just return to Ghana for a visit but also acquired a house in the country to make it his home as well.
Among the many globally recognized faces that have been seen in Ghana at the back of the “Year Of Return” initiative, the top Jamaican dancehall artiste has also been spotted in Ghana, where he toured the Cape Coast Castle.
Being deeply African rooted, Popcaan after his tour at the castle wrote: “I went and lay this wreath in memory of my ancestors that was put in these dungeons and ship to Jamaica and other parts of the world 🇬🇭stronger now and also free #capecoastcastle”.https://www.instagram.com/popcaanmusic/?utm_source=ig_embed
Also via his Instagram page, the “Vanquish” singer has announced that he has acquired a new home in Ghana. In one of the clips he posted of himself walking the hallway of his new home, he said: “Over Africa wicked man ting. Mi jus buy mi brand new house over Ghana. Yuh haffi have house everyweh!”.
Popcaan’s move falls right in place of the Government’s new “Beyond The Return” initiative which comes after “Year of Return” campaign, encouraging the African diaspora to make investments in the continent to make it a better place in the world.
Have a look at Popcaan’s new home in his post below.
Year Of Return: Akwasi Agyeman Praises Ghana Police For Good job Done
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyemang, has eulogised the Ghana Police Service for a “wonderful job” done throughout the Year of Return events.
The GTA says it has been overwhelmed by the effort of the Police in ensuring a crime-free environment to ensure the safety of citizens and foreigners in the country.
Akwasi Agyemang said on the Citi Breakfast Show:
“The police have been at it. Sometimes we find them a little irritating when they have all these roadblocks but they have done a decent job to have the numbers that we have had in some of these events, sometimes 20,000 people in a particular place. There has not been any major incident although there may be little events like pick-pocketing, but by and large they’ve done a wonderful job and I believe with the same level of cooperation with National Security and Police, we will go far”
He added that the number of repeat visits of diasporans to the country shows that visitors left Ghana fulfilled.
“People have felt so fulfilled and for me, the testimony is the number of people who have come, I can take people like Boris Kodjoe, Bozoma, AJ Johnson who came here first time in December 2018, and as of August 2019, she had been back five times. People are making repeat visits, people are really coming back, wanting to do more”