Ghana’s tourism stole the show at last nights Africa Tourism Leadership Forum Awards held at the Grand Palm Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana. The Hon. Dr. Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture won the ‘Destination Africa – Lifetime Award’ for his contribution in creating a positive change to Africa Tourism Industry within within the past few years.

Ghana Tourism Authority won the ‘Outstanding Africa Tourism Media & Marketing Award’ for projecting Destination Africa. The Award was picked up by the Director, Roberta Dawson-Amoah. Ghana was thus commended for laying the foundation for the rest of Africa to follow.

This Award recognises the most influential media and/or marketing contribution to changing the image of Africa. Mention was made of Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign and its successor, ‘Beyond the Return’ as having helped create a continental brand with renewed focus for Africa to attract more of its diaspora market highlighting opportunities to celebrate Africa and Africans, as well as create opportunity for many to return and invest.

The campaigns are said to have opened the door for hundreds of diasporans to receive citizenship in Ghana, and other African countries while the ‘December In GH’ campaign was noted for helping change the global picture of a ‘white Christmas’ to a Christmas full of African Culture, Fashion, Music, Dance and dialogues highlighting the new ‘Destination Africa’ brand. Organisers invited all participants to visit Ghana this December.

The officials from Ghana include the Moses Ndebugri, Upper West Regional Director and Messrs Collins Ackwerh, Deputy Director/Marketing and Head of Digital Marketing and Ernest Odame, Project Officer who were both also part of the ATLF technical and digital media team. Mr. Francis Doku, who was a Guest Panellist also led came with team from 3 Media. Kojo Bentum Williams of UNWTO and Voyages Afriq were also present.

ATLF Awards is the only pan African industry awards of its kind in Africa. It recognizes and celebrates change-makers and innovation pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for African travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries. Particular attention and recognition is given to nominees who can prove their commitment to leadership through sustainability in tourism practices and policy-making. Nominees and winners include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of states, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.

By: Collins Ackwerh/Digital Marketing

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