Why You Have To Visit Accra, The Greatest City In Africa
Accra has been announced by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Greatest Places 2021
According to TIME assessing the Ghanaian capital has become even easier this year due to increased airline activity starting with last fall’s debut of Qatar Airways flights from Doha. Also, the new thrice-weekly United Airlines service from Washington, D.C. and many other airlines offering flights and connections to many parts of the globe.
In the field of Arts, ADA, a contemporary gallery that launched late last year, showcases the work of emerging creatives—such as paintings by Nigerian artist Eniwaye Oluwaseyi and South African artist Zandile Tshabalala—from across Africa. Beyond the many art galleries, Ghanaian artists have shot to the international scene with great works including Kwame Akoto-Bamfo’s Ancestor Project – portraits of Africans who were imprisoned, kidnapped or coerced into slavery. A new architecture school, the African Futures Institute (AFI) debuts at the end of July, with a focus on cultivating regional talent. The AFI is the brainchild of Lesley Lokko, the founder and director of the Graduate School of Architecture in Johannesburg, in collaboration with award-winning Ghanaian architect David Adjaye. Accra also has become the biggest centre of creative modern art due to the ever-growing annual Chale-Wote festival which went on a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic but said to bounce back bigger this year according to organizers.
Next year, the Pan African Heritage World Museum is also scheduled to open. It will house archives, exhibits, galleries and a theater, with the aim of being a key destination for visitors interested in connecting with Africa’s history and its people’s heritage.
Beyond the Art, Accra has become a MICE hub with several major event organiser choosing to host their events in Ghana like the Nation Media Group’s Kusi Ideas festival held in December 2021 with participation from 3 African leaders namely; President Akufo Addo, President of Ghana, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Above all is the annual Afrochella Festival by which celebrates Africa’s Culture and vibrant work of African Creatives and Enterpreneurs has become a rallying point and pivot in making Ghana the preferred destination for Christmas and New Year celebrations which has been dubbed #DecemberInGH. ‘Afrochellans’ experience art and creative activations from the continent, celebrate African music, and taste premium and cultured cuisine. The festival is said to be the ‘party with purpose’.
There are more event organizers looking for venues and places in Accra to host events due to the increasing numbers and interest. Thus the Ghana Tourism Authority’s #DecemberInGH campaign has seen several event organiser booking venues years ahead to be sure they can host their events.
Indeed, Accra is the place to be and when you are around do not forget to book and experience the city on the newly launched city tour buses. It is time for everyone to #ExperienceGhana and #ShareGhana
By: GTA Digital
‘Africa Will Be a Powerful Force for World Development’ says Yofi Grant at Ghana Diaspora Investment Summit
Although 2020 was a year filled with global tragedy due to the pandemic, Yofi Grant, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, believes that the year also ushered in Africa’s decade and that Africa as we know it, is not just its citizens, it is every person of African descent living anywhere in the world. He delivered opening remarks at the maiden edition of the Ghana Diaspora Investment Summit which took place June 23 -24, 2021, in person at the Kempinski Hotel and streamed live on social media platforms. The theme of the event was, ‘The New Normal: Leveraging diaspora investments to build back better.’
The event was organized by Ghana Investment Promotion Centre who partnered with the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Ghana Tourism Authority, Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Diaspora African Forum, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, and the Ministry of Information.
The core focus of the 2-day event was to provide an overview of investment opportunities in Ghana, learning from key business players in various industry sectors, encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors, sharing ideas, plans and policies for support of the business climate, and feedback from diasporans about potential and areas that need improvement.
One of the important pillars of the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative is Invest in Ghana and this event played a key role in supporting that initiative. “This has been a successful summit,” said the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, “As the Minister of Information said, it shouldn’t remain a summit, there has to be action after the summit.” Agyeman said that taking advantage of networking at the event provided valuable opportunities that fostered new relationships and established synergies to create new products, services, and programs. He added that he is looking forward to next year when we would hear about the fruits of collaborations that were sparked at this event.
Stories of impact were also shared by diasporans who have made the return to Ghana, started their own businesses and creating investment opportunities for themselves and for others. Neil Oku, CEO of Golden Coast Developers was one of the featured speakers who shared his personal experience on moving to Ghana. “I wanted to feel that I was really going to make a change and that’s what really drove me to Ghana,” he said. Oku left his job on Wall Street to build a new career based on the opportunities he saw. “I came because I felt Ghana was the next wave. Ghana was really moving towards a trajectory…. you don’t have to be a Ghanaian to feel the innovation going on.”
H.E. Ambassador Erieka Bennett, who is Head of Missions at the Diaspora African Forum, shared the importance of remaining connected with diasporans who continue to have a strong interest in visiting, moving to or investing in Ghana. Bennett said that African Heads of State are understanding that in order to move Africa forward we need to move with the diaspora. “Every Diasporan I know, they want to come to Ghana,” she said. “There’s a lady who is 107 years old…. she’s coming to Ghana with her brother who is 100 and some of her colleagues who are 92 and 95.” This woman is a survivor of the Tulsa Massacre in 1921 when white residents burned down a prominent Black business district. Ambassador Bennett is one of the most engaged with the diaspora community when they make their transition to Ghana.
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, said there are enormous opportunities to grow in Ghana and grow with Ghana. Ofori-Atta returned to Ghana 30 years ago after living abroad and partnered to start an investment bank at a time when resources available for launching a business in Ghana were far less than they are today. In sharing his personal journey, he wanted to narrate that despite the challenges it can be done, and Ghana is a great place to do it.
He has an appreciation of what it takes to make the leap to move to Ghana and urged people in the diaspora to make it a personal decision without influence of politics or others around you. “Look deep down in your heart as to why you are coming,” he said. “It’s spiritual, economic, 400 years…it’s here and we should all come back home.”
By: Ivy Prosper
Tour Operators Union Embark On City Tour Ahead of Start of Accra City Tours
The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) on Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021 embarked on a promotional Accra city tour as part of sensitization and awareness creation in respect of the Domestic Tourism promotion launched recently by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo dubbed, “EXPERIENCE GHANA, SHARE GHANA”. Other stakeholders like Tourists Clubs and some media joined the tour which lasted for 3 hours.
The Ghana Tourism Authority, as part of promotion of the domestic tourism drive amongst Ghanaians, outdoored two city tour buses, a double decker bus a.k.a “Aunty Deede” and Mummy Truck, a.k.a “Bone Shaker”. The Tour was aimed at ensuring that the Tour Operators would have an experience of the Coaches in order to sell the Tour Packages accordingly. As the private sector agency that promotes tours within and outside the country, it is the expectation of the Authority that it will definitely live up to expectation as interest of Ghanaians is ignited for the domestic tourism campaign.
The Tour began at exactly 1pm from the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC), through the former Flagstaff House now Jubilee House and then to the Ring Road where the tour continued to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). After GBC which is Ghana’s oldest Broadcasting Corporation, the tour made its way through Nima where we could find the residence of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the President of the Republic. Next off, the most famous interchange in Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Interchange , popularly called “Circle”. On through to the Jake Obetsebi Lamptey interchange then to Abossey Okai, one of Ghana’s famous spare parts hub.
The Coach popularly called Aunty Deede was the delight of many and obviously the talk of town as the tour continued. The Tour then made its way to the Bukom Boxing Arena which is adjacent to the junction that leads to the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital. The tour then made its way pass the Jamestown Fishing Market directly opposite the Fire Service Academy. On the High Street, the tour got to the Lighthouse which is opposite the Ngleshie Alata Mantse Palace. The Group made a stopover at the James Fort where the Tour Guide gave the entire group a tour within the Fort explaining the historical events before independence.
The Ussher Fort was the next on the itinerary. Also, drove pass the Bank of Ghana, the Arts Centre and then to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, The Law Court Complex and the Ministries. The group’s next stopover was the Independence Square where the team took photos with various symbols and the Accra Sports Stadium. From the Independence Square, the tour continued through to the Oxford Street which one of Ghana’s domestic tourism hub just as the Arts Centre with various artifacts, local prints, cuisine, music, nightlife, etc. From the Oxford Street, the team passed through the Dankwa Interchange then to the Ghana Prisons Headquarters. The tour ended at 1600HRS.
The Tour on Wednesday was the 5th Promotional Tour held by the GTA since its launch in June, 2021. Various groups that have participated included Staff of the GTA, Stakeholders including the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Tour Guides, Tourism Press/Media Corps, etc.
Speaking to the media after the tour, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi of the Ghana Tourism Authority reiterated government’s commitment to promote the domestic tourism agenda through such initiatives as the Accra City Tours which will gradually extend to the various regions and districts accordingly. The initiative aims at helping the economy recover from the ravages of COVID 19 and targeting increasing arrivals of 600, 000 by 2022 and one million by 2024. He noted that with the success of the “Year of Return” initiative by government, it is imperative to apply innovative ways and means to ensure the realization of the objectives put in place for the “Beyond the Return” project. He indicated that the packages will include educational, business, and religious tourism that will create a sense of national unity and cohesion as well as raise income from the urban area. He stated that the domestic tourism drive dubbed, “Experience Ghana, Share Ghana” aims at ensuring the realization of the vision of the Sector Ministry ie to whip up interest, create an industry wide tourism wholesale package for on-selling by Operators.
The sector Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Awal Mohammed had indicated the need for massive transformation of the sector through innovation, sectorial collaboration, coordinated strategy to ensure a seamless and affordable tourism experience for Ghanaian tourists in the domestic market and consolidate Ghana’s position as the preferred destination for leisure, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions in the ECOWAS sub-region.
The President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Mrs. Alisa Asamoah on her part reiterated the commitment of the Tour Operators to ensure the realization of the goals for the promotion of this domestic tourism drive. She therefore took the opportunity to commend the government especially the Hon. Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal and the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman in seeing to the transformation of the industry through such initiatives. He urged that more initiatives to whip up interest in domestic tourism should be encouraged to ensure the overall success of the campaign. She expressed appreciation to the executives and members of TOUGHA for embarking on the Tour as a wake-up call to action.
“Visit Ghana In This ‘Year Of Return’” – President Akufo-Addo To Trinidadians
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has extended an invitation to the people of Trinidad and Tobago to visit Ghana in this ‘Year of Return.’
According to President Akufo-Addo, Ghana recognises its unique position as the location for 75 per cent of the slave dungeons built on the West coast of Africa, through which the slaves were transported, adding that “we have a responsibility, and we do extend a hand of welcome back home to Africans in the diaspora.”
2019 marks the 400-year anniversary of the first recorded arrival, in 1619, of the first twenty (20) enslaved Africans in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which was to become part of the United States of America, initiating some of the most barbaric episodes in human history – the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and slavery.
The President, therefore, was hopeful that “the year would prove to be a joyful and learning experience all around for all of us, especially in affirming our determination that never again should the African peoples permit themselves to be subjected to such dehumanising conditions, sold into slavery, and have their freedoms curtailed in order to build up forcibly countries other their own.”
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, 13th June 2019, when he addressed the media after he held bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Keith Rowley.
After the launch of the ‘Year of Return’ in Washington D.C., Ghana continued with the December 2018 Full Circle Festival, involving over 70 African American celebrities visiting Ghana to reconnect with their ancestral heritage.
Additionally, the Home Coming and Investment Summit, the African-American Investment Forum, the Pan-African and Emancipation Day Celebrations, the durbar from Jamestown to Jamestown, the Film Festival, and the Full Circle Festival are some of the activities that will be held to commemorate the year-long event.
“The commemoration should enable us, in the African Union, to consolidate and strengthen our links with our Sixth Region, i.e. the African Diaspora of the so-called ‘New World’, which have laid somewhat dormant, and make operational and extend the Free Movement Protocol to those in the Diaspora seeking to resettle in Africa,” the President stressed.
Source: Presidency.gov.gh
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston Finally Makes His Visit to Ghana
Kofi Kingston arrived in Ghana yesterday to a big celebration at Kotoka International Airport. Fans and students who couldn’t wait to see the WWE Champion celebrated through song and dance. Kingston joined in with the crowd dancing to the beat as the Ghana flag was draped over him with cheers from the crowd. Even Kotoka International Airport staff were following him taking selfies as he made his way through after customs.
His mother, Dr. Elizabeth Sarkodie-Mensah, along with other family members were there to meet him and were equally overwhelmed with the big reception and couldn’t believe the crowd waiting for him outside the airport. This is his first trip back to Ghana since 1993 and he is eager to reconnect with his homeland. He said that one of his biggest regrets was not coming sooner. Kingston recounted the story of his father, who often travelled to Ghana and brought groups of students with him. He said that as a senior in high school, his priority was to find work rather than make a trip to Ghana.
He said once he was ready to come to Ghana, his hectic schedule has made it challenging to find the time. At the media press-conference, he said that sometimes things happen for a reason because he believes the stars were all aligned for him to make this journey to Ghana during the “Year of Return”. It’s an important time for people in the diaspora to come to Ghana.
He will be spending four days in the country, with time divided between Accra and Kumasi. His first day was jam-packed with a press conference, interviews with the media and a visit to the Jubilee House to meet President Nana Akufo-Addo.
He’s had an eleven-year career and has proven that with hard work, success is possible. “It was a matter of staying the course…. I’m here as living breathing proof that anything is possible.” Many who were seeing him for the first time, were surprised at how small he is, relative to the typical athlete in WWE. He often hears those remarks and said, “I’m not the tallest or the biggest person…but I had dreams and I believed in it.” His perseverance and level of commitment to living his childhood dream prove that success can be achieved with hard work. “Not many people on the planet can say they are living their dream, I’m doing that.”
Accra / May 30, 2019,/ Written by Ivy Prosper
France24 Report on Year Of Return: Hundreds of African-Americans resettle in Ghana
France24 has in a report looked at how Ghana is increasingly becoming home to hundreds of African-Americans especially in light of the on-going ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ campaign. The report looks at the lives of some African-Americans who have settled in Ghans over the years. Read and watch the report below.
Ghana was one of the main West African departure points for the transatlantic slave trade. Today, the government has launched a campaign to reach out to the descendants of those Africans who were forcibly removed from their homelands. It has dubbed 2019 the “year of return“. Several hundred people have already put down roots in Ghana, many of them African-Americans. Our colleagues from France 2 report, with FRANCE 24‘s James Vasina.
This article comes on the heels of other reviews published earlier in the year.
Watch the programme/video report prepared by Patrick Lovett and James Vasina below.
Related Articles:
HomeToGo – https://visitghana.com/ghana-listed-in-top-10-trending-summer-destinations-for-2019/
Year Of Return: “Come with an open mind and heart” – Mona Boyd invites Diasporans
Year of Return: African Diaspora in Ghana for Back2Africa Festival
CNN: CNN Travel lists Ghana as place to visit in 2019
About Year of return, Ghana 2019
The “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” is a major landmark spiritual and birth-right journey inviting the Global African family, home and abroad, to mark 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia. The arrival of enslaved Africans marked a sordid and sad period, when our kith and kin were forcefully taken away from Africa into years of deprivation, humiliation and torture. While August 2019 marks 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in the United States, “The Year of Return, Ghana 2019” celebrates the cumulative resilience of all the victims of the Trans Atlantic slave Trade who were scattered and displaced through the world in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
One of the main goals of the Year of Return campaign is to position Ghana as a key travel destination for African Americans and the African Diaspora. In 2019, the events planned throughout the year will serve as a launch pad for a consistent boost in tourism for Ghana in the near and distant years. Beyond tourism, this initiative supports one of the President’s key developmental agendas in Ghana Beyond Aid. We know that tourism can be a leading indicator to business and investment.
We are focused on ensuring that our brothers and sisters have a safe, pleasant and wonderful journey home so they will want to come back, get involved, see the opportunity that exists in Ghana for us to work together and begin to rebuild what has been stolen and lost over the past 400 years.
Ghana National Tourism Industry Awards 2018 held
The much-awaited Ghana Tourism Awards to honour deserving facilities in the tourism industry in Ghana for the year 2018 was held at The Event Haven, La on Friday, March 22, 2019. In all 29 awards were presented to organisations and individual in Accommodation, Food and beverage and Entertainment, Travel Trade and Media. In addition, honorary awards were given to six (6) personalities who have contributed to the growth and the development of the Tourism Industry over the years.
Click here to view photos of awards:
Below are the award winners for the various categories.
HONORARY AWARDS
1. Edwin Owusu-Mensah – (Fmr Dir. Ministry of Tourism, Arts And Culture, Former Dep. Exec. Dir. Ghana Tourism Authority)
2. Stella W. Appenteng – (CEO – Apstar Tours Ltd)
3. Kwame Ofosu Bamfo (MD – Alisa Hotel)
4. Sajid Ali Kahn – (GM – Tang Palace Hotel,Accra,Ghana)
5. Erieca Bennett – (Head of Mission, Missions Forum: Africa Diaspora Missions Network)
6. Mark Williams – (CEO – Ashanti African Tours Ltd)
ACCOMMODATION AWARDS
- 5 Star Hotel of the Year – Movenpic Ambassador Hotel
- 4 Star Hotel of the Year – Tang Palace Hotel
- 3 Star Hotel of the Year – Holiday Inn Hotel
- 2 Star Hotel of the Year – Ibis Styles
- 1 Star Hotel of the Year – Coconut Grove Sakumono
- Guest House of the Year – Petit Palais Guesthouse
- Budget Hotel of the Year – Ronna lodge, Adidome
- Hostel of the Year – Bedstudy Osu
- Serviced Apartment of the Year – Red Mango Apartments chapel Hill
FOOD AND BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT (CATERING) AWARDS
- Restaurant Grade 1 – Azmera Restaurant
- Restaurant Grade 2 – The Buka Restaurant Ltd
- Restaurant Grade 3 – Madela Restaurant, Sunyanil
- Fast Food of the Year – Papaye Fast Foods Ltd.
- Night Club of the Year – Plot 7 Night Club, Osu
- Traditional Caterer (Chop Bar) of the Year – Bush Kanteen Shiashie,
- Drinking Bar of the Year – The Treasures Pub, Agbogba
TRAVEL SERVICES AWARDS
1. Airline of the Year – South African Airways
2. Tour Operator of the Year – Landtours Ghana
3. Travel Agency of the Year – Satguru Travels Ghana Ltd
4. Car Rental Service of the Year – Atlas Rent A Car
5. Visitor Attraction of the Year – Kakum National Park Ghana
MEDIA AWARD WINNERS
1. Tourism Writer of the Year – Kofi Akpabli
2. Tourism Oriented Media TV – TV3 Media,
3. Tourism Oriented Media (Radio)- Citi 97.3 FM
4. Tourism Oriented Media (Print)- The Mirror
5. Tourism Oriented Media (Online) – Voyages AFRIQ MEDIA
6. Tourism Programme of the Year – Our Heritage by UTV Ghana
About The Awards
The National Tourism Awards was instituted by the Ghana Tourism Authority in 1997 to reward excellent performance in the tourism sector.
It is one of the flagship events of the GTA held annually and it sets the tone for high standards in service delivery among practitioners in the tourism sector.
Awards, including honorary awards, are presented to practitioners and organisations who have made maintained high standards and individuals who have made immense contributions to the growth and development of Ghana’s tourism industry.
The award usually attracts high profile personalities in government, business, politics, academia and practitioners within the tourism industry.
Top Ten (10) Night Clubs In Accra
It’s the weekend already, and there’s no excuse not to let off some steam from our busy schedules. So, grab your fav heels/shoes, that sexy dress and let’s hit town. Don’t worry about your location, we’ve got you covered with these 10 hottest nightclubs in town.
Hello there night owls, do you want to know the Do’s and Don’ts?
Nightlife is absolutely a way of life. Yep, it’s not just about stepping out to have fun but you need to be well and truly taken care off. Let’s go over some rules to ensure you have a proper clubbing experience.
LIST OF THE BEST 10 NIGHTCLUBS IN GHANA
- Carbon Nightclub
Situated in the penthouse of Icon House in Accra, located a floor above the urban grill restaurant. With their eye-catching décor, giving the whole atmosphere a surreal experience. Carbon Night is one of the trendiest night places in Accra.
- Plot 7
This cool nightclub is located in Nyaniba Estates and is considered as one of the best nightclubs in town. Best to get a table reservation in advance to avoid all that hassle at the gate.
- Firefly
The perfect place for some mid-week stress out. As one of the best nightclubs in Ghana, Firefly is sure to add a new twist to your Wednesday night out.
- Twist Nightclub
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- Champs Sports bar
Fridays are the busiest for Champs. They start the weekend with karaoke which runs into the night as popular DJ’s take up the wheel. Go dancing into the wee hours of dawn at Ghana’s best nightclub.
- AftaWerk
Formerly known as Rockstone’s Office, it is one of the best nightclubs you can find in Ghana. Located in Accra’s trendy neighbourhood, Cantonments. It is popular for its corporate and lush crowd. Looking to revamp your business contact list? Be here.
- Club Onyx
The newest and hottest nightclub in Accra and one of the best in Ghana. Club Onyx is the place to be and get noticed on a Saturday night. New memories, new friends, new experiences. Who doesn’t love a new place?
- Shisha lounge
As one of the best nightclubs located in Osu, its famous for a wide selection of shisha flavours. Including good food and great cocktails.
- Duplex Nightclub
Duplex club is one of the longest existing clubs which has earned a place on the best 10 nightclubs in Ghana. Still providing clubbers a good time on the dance floor.
- Hotgossip Nightclub
Great place for playing snooker whilst admiring stripers, Hotgossip, known as one of the hottest night places in Accra is located in Osu. A few 100 meters from the Shisha lounge, it definitely pulls its own crowd.
Source: Pulse Ghana
2018 Culture Afrochella ‘wows’ patrons
What seemed to be the last major event on the tourism calendar for 2018 did not disappoint patrons. The 2018 Culture Afrochella dubbed #afrochella18 came off at the El-wak Sports Stadium on Saturday December 29, 2018 bringing traffic to a stand-still.
The beautifully and artistically designed entrance was just a foretaste of what was in-stock for patrons. From afrocentric dressing to woodcraft, acrobatic display to foot’pool’, eye-opening paintings to giant candies, the photo opportunities were endless but requiring phones with extra memory space for selfies.
The music was just ‘afrocentrically’ riveting as the food caused taste buds to produce excess saliva. Crowning it all was the evening musical performances that left no room for parking for patrons who arrived late. Patrons are already looking forward to the 2019 edition and organizers have promised nothing but a more exciting event.