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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.
Ghana and Malta deepen Diplomatic relations through Tourism
Ghana and Malta have expressed their commitment to deepen relations in the fields of tourism and culture as well as trade and investment.
To this end, the two countries would establish special committees to work out the modalities for the attainment of this objective.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the President of Malta, Mr. George Vella and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal when they later paid a courtesy call on Mr. Vella at his office in Malta last Monday.
Dr Awal was in Malta to attend a Mediterranean Tourism Investment forum organized by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation.
The President described the relationship between Malta and Ghana as very cordial and express the need for both countries to step up cooperation particularly in the areas of tourism, culture, trade and investment.
He disclosed that tourism accounted for over 40 % of Malta’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and said the two countries could share knowledge and experience on tourism development as window for trade and investment.
Mr. Vella said Malta could be the gateway for Ghana to attract tourists and investment from the over 23 Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Greece.
Dr. Awal told the Maltese President that the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo’s government was implementing a number of initiatives aimed at transforming the Ghanaian economy and improving upon the lives of the people.
He said in the area of tourism for instance, forts, castles and heritage sites were being renovated and modernized to attract more tourists to the country.
The Minister said the government was ensuring that tourism and the creative arts contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and job creation, adding that Ghana was ready to share experiences with Malta in these fields.
He said that since tourism was a global economic activity without borders, it is imperative that no country is left behind in efforts to achieve sustainable tourism that protects the environment and the people.
Dr. Awal urged businesses and investors from Malta and the Mediterranean in general to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) to deepen trade relations with Africa.
The Minister who was accompanied by Ghana’s Ambassador to Malta, Her Excellency Barbara Akuorkor Benisa also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Malta, Mr. Robert Abela as well as the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Clayton Bartolo and Minister of Justice, Culture and local government, Mr. Owen Bonnici.
President Akufo Addo Re-Opens Renovated National Museum To Boost Tourism
On Friday, 10th June, 2022 the renovated National Museum was re-opened by the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This Museum which happens to be the oldest and largest in Ghana was intially opened in 1957, but closed to the public in 2015 for renovation.
The rehabilitated Museum now has additional exhibits and artefacts, and the inner road asphalted.
Curators of the National Museum have also added seven (7) of the vehicles used by former Heads of State, including three (3) E-450 Mercedes Benz vehicles, two (2) Nissan Patrols, a Limousine and a Toyota Land Cruiser to enhance visitor experience.
The renovation is part of ongoing government agenda to give the tourism industry the needed boost to serve as an effective tool for economic transformation.
The museum is open from 9am to 3pm each weekday.
Visit the National Museum to Experience Ghana and Share Ghana.
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#ExperienceGhana #ShareGhana
18th ‘Ghana Party in the Park’ launched by Akwaaba Group
The eighteenth edition of Ghana Party in the Park was officially launched by the Akwaaba Group on 7th June at the British High Commissioner Residence in Accra. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday 16th July in London.
The eighteenth edition of Ghana Party in the Park was officially launched by the Akwaaba Group on 7th June at the British High Commissioner Residence in Accra. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday 16th July in London. The CEO of Akwaaba Group, Dennis Tawiah said they anticipate a successful event especially with the support they’ve received from both the private and public sector this year. Partners for the upcoming festival include Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), EXIM Bank, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and KGL Foundation, among others.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey commented on the impact Tawiah has made in the entertainment industry when it comes to selling Ghana to the world for over two decades. His contribution to putting Ghana on the map has been recognized by many over the years and his work has also contributed to encouraging people to travel to Ghana every year.
“We’re here today to launch the forthcoming ‘Party in the Park’ in London. It is the opportunity to sell Ghana. Our food, our fashion, our music, film…our artwork,” Hon. Okraku-Mantey said. The deputy minister also mentioned the significance of the recent presidential launch of the Destination Ghana campaign encouraging continued engagement with Ghana through tourism. “Please be ambassadors and tell the whole world that you come from the centre of the world…Which is Ghana, more precisely, Tema.”
Ghana Party in the Park is celebrated as one of the biggest annual outdoor festivals for the Ghanaian community in the diaspora. The event is organised by the Akwaaba Group UK and this year has received great support. It’s expected to attract at least 10,000 attendees to celebrate Ghana through culture, food, fashion and music.
“The Ghana Party in the Park event is an important social fixture for the Ghanaian community in the UK, also mainland Europe and globally,” said the Deputy CEO of GIPC Yaw Amoateng Afriyie, who said he has participated in the event on many occasions. “It showcases the best of Ghanaian culture, arts, and food.” He noted that it’s become such an important event that has enjoyed many years of successful engagement and the bringing together of the Ghanaian community.
In past years major artists have performed at the event including Sarkodie, Fuse ODG, Mr. Eazi, Stonebwoy and more. This year’s lineup is yet to be announced. Tickets for the event can be purchased online through the Ghana Party in the Park website www.gpitp.com/tickets.
By: Ivy Prosper
GTA Calls For Event Proposals for ‘December-In-GH’ 2022
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced a call for entries for event organisers and promoters to submit their proposals for inclusion in the calendar of events for the much anticipated ‘December in GH’ campaign for December 2022.
This announcement comes at a time when the Authority prepares an anticipated increase in international arrivals with the easing of travel restrictions worldwide.
The project being cordinated by the Beyond the Return (BTR) Secretariat invites all event organisers interested in having their event endorsed as an official ‘Beyond the Return’ program, to submit formal proposals. The team is accepting proposals for events taking place from November 1, 2022 to January 10, 2023. The team encourages all interested in holding events to consider activities that can engage the global African diaspora, continental Africans and Ghanaians .
According to the CEO of the Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, “The vision is to have events that can bring together the global African community to celebrate the holiday season in Ghana. For the past 3 years since we launched the December in GH program, Ghana has become the place to be during Christmas” .
“We all know that every December, Accra becomes the cultural hotspot of Africa with so many events happening and thousands from the diaspora spending their holidays here,” said Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat. “Ghana is a diverse and beautiful country with so many places to explore. That’s why we encourage all event organisers to consider planning their events, festivals, concerts, and activities in other regions outside Greater Accra. We want the ‘December in GH’ vibe to be experienced not only in the capital city, but across the country.”
An official calendar of events will be released once event organisers have submitted proposals and they have been reviewed by GTA for endorsement. Proposals can be submitted using this link: https://forms.gle/vRj6ZE6hBZozQ4uu9 or completing the form below.
‘Beyond the Return’ is a ten-year initiative with a theme of ‘A Decade of African Renaissance.’ with seven pillars as its foundation. Each of the pillars are significant to the mission of continued engagement with the diaspora community as well as continental Africans. The seven pillars are Experince Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Give Back Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Brand Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana and Promote Pan African Heritage and Innovation. It’s important that potential event organizers consider how their event connects with the pillars when planning.
More information about Beyond the Return can be found on the website www.beyondthereturngh.com.
Information from Ghana Tourism Authority can be found at www.visitghana.com.
Neenyi Ghartey VII, Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area Endorses Yotofest22
The Paramount Chief of Efutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII has given his blessings to this year’s Youth in Tourism in Festival (YOTOFEST22).
The week-long event is jointly being organised by the Tourism Society of Ghana(TOSOGHA) and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) from July 19 to 24 in Winneba.
Neenyi Ghartey VII gave his seal of approval when organisers paid a courtesy call on him on Monday, June 6 to officially inform him about the Festival.
Expressing his delight, the Paramount Chief said he was very enthused about the prospect YOTOFEST22 has for opening up the area for tourism activities.
“This is a great initiative and a wonderful one for our youth and tourism. And that is why I am happy Winneba is hosting it and I assure you of my full support,” he said.
Neenyi Ghartey VII added that he was optimistic of a very successful event after which he hinted that Winneba would want to annex the Festival for future celebrations.
YOTOFEST22 is the third edition since its inception in 2018. This year’s has been expanded with a line-up of stellar activities planned. They include: clean up exercise, beach art festival, townhall durbar, youth tourism business pitch, awards’ ceremony among others.
YOTOFEST22 will be held with focus on youth, tourism and sanitation.
Executives of Pan – African Heritage Museum Pay Courtesy Call On Minister For Tourism
On 1st June, 2022, the Executive body of the Pan African Heritage Museum (PAHM) led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Ladi Nylander paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal to discuss issues of interest to the sector in respect of the Pan African Heritage Museum (PAHM).
The Leader of the delegation, Mr. Ladi Nylander informed the Hon. Minister that the chairman and founder of the PAHM was currently in the United States of America (U.S.A) on a related engagements of the PAHM.
Discussions with the Hon. Minister centered on the pillars of the Beyond the Return which dovetails into the overall objectives, vision and agenda of the Pan African Heritage Museum (PAHM). They include; Experience Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back Ghana, Promote Pan – African Heritage and Innovation, Celebrate Ghana and Invest in Ghana.
The delegation expressed appreciation to the Hon. Minister through the Deputy Minister, Hon Mark Okraku Mantey for gracing the occasion during the Launch of the Digital Museum on 5th May, 2022. It offered the team the opportunity to have confidence in the government’s resolve to support the PAHM.
The Executive Director of the PAHM, Prof Pashington Obeng stated that it is the hope of the PAHM to have the needed support and assistance from the Presidency and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. He noted that the team believes that all hands-on-deck is important to create the needed partnership. He further said that the museum will not just be a place for people to come through and experience the artifacts and African relics but it will also be concerned about the local community involvement thereby creating jobs and employment. He assured the Hon. Minister that seminars and workshops will be organized in Senior High Schools, Universities, etc. across the country to empower the youth to create jobs and help them understand African culture, history and heritage.
In his remarks, the Hon.Minister said culture defines us as a people and therefore he is personally inspired by the concept and brains behind the Pan – African Heritage Museum currently operating digitally until the construction is over to have the physical experience. He noted that African Americans undertake trips to destinations where they can connect with their roots and history and therefore this is timely.
The Hon. Minister informed the PAHM team that the Ministry targets 2 million visitors by 2024 and beyond to generate 5 billion dollars for the Ghanaian economy. He said, per statistics, each tourist spends on the average an amount of $2,500.00 in the country, when they visit and this energizes the economy. He said, for this year, the target of the Ministry is 1 million tourists as part of Destination Ghana and Beyond the Return campaigns.
The Hon. Minister reiterated government’s commitments to create jobs and employment through private sectors and one of such initiatives worthy of support is the PAHM which aims at also involving the local community and creating opportunities for the youth of this country.
The Hon. Minister was emphatic that, the ministry is working assiduously to make tourism the number one contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He again noted that, the very foundations of tourism are culture and heritage therefore, it is the resolve of the Ministry to support the private sector to push our Cultural Heritage across the length and breadth of the globe.
On the opening of the National Museum, the Hon. Minister was emphatic that it will finally be opened on Friday, 10thJune, 2022. The leader of the delegation, Mr. Ladi Nylander on behalf of the team took the opportunity to congratulate the Hon. Minister and his Deputy for the good works they continue to do for Mother Ghana. He made it clear that the Hon. Minister had been specific and measurable in his dealings and hope his tenure of office will be successful.
Mr. Nylander made it known that, the Pan African Heritage Digital Museum is one of a kind in the world and the first. He noted that there are about 3,000 museums in Europe and only 200 in Africa. None of these has a digital version. He took the opportunity to invite the Hon. Minister and his Deputy to the launch of the second phase of the Digital Museum of the PAHM Scheduled for August 31st, 2022 which is earmarked as “Africa Day”.
Present in the meeting were the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. John Yao Agbeko, the Special Advisor to the Hon. Minister, Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the Executive Director, Ghana Musuems and Monuments Board (GMMB), Mr. Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah and the Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi.
The PAHM delegation included the Executive Vice Chairman, Ladi Nylander, the Executive Director, Prof. Pashington Obeng. Other members of the delegation included; Dr. Sam Mensah, Nana Ama Yankah, Mr. Charles Eghan, Mr. Bobby Banson, Mr. Kofi Yankah and Kofi Karikari.