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GTA (BTR) Outdoors Initial list of 64 ‘December In GH’ Events
Accra, August 24, 2024
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has officially endorsed 64 events for the first phase of this year’s “December In GH” celebration. Entering its sixth edition, the “December In GH” campaign has firmly established itself as the leading tourism attraction in Ghana during the year-end period, drawing in thousands of visitors from November to early January.
At the unveiling ceremony, held yesterday at the Osu Castle Gardens, Ben Anane Nsiah, the Deputy CEO – General Services of the GTA, highlighted the campaign’s substantial impact. He noted that “December In GH,” which originated as part of the Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives, has brought significant benefits to Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industries.
Mr. Anane Nsiah emphasized that the campaign leverages Ghana’s rich cultural offerings, including music, food, and arts, to attract a diverse range of visitors during the festive season. He pointed out that five-star hotels achieve an impressive 99.6% occupancy rate during the period, with the average stay of visitors extending to 17 days.
Looking forward to this year’s festivities, Mr. Anane Nsiah promised an exciting and grand celebration in 2024 that will showcase Ghana on the global stage.
GTA CEO Akwasi Agyeman, who presented the endorsed events, mentioned that the Secretariat and the Steering Committee of Beyond The Return received 95 submissions for endorsement. After a thorough evaluation, 64 events were selected, while the remaining applicants were advised to address certain issues that led to their exclusion.
The criteria for selection included the credibility of the events, alignment with the Beyond The Return pillars, and the ability of organisers to manage logistics, security, and venue arrangements effectively.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, also addressed the gathering, reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to supporting “December In GH.” He highlighted the initiative’s importance to Ghana’s tourism industry, noting that it contributed significantly to the $3.8 billion in tourism revenue generated last year.
Mr. Egyapa Mercer described “December In GH” as a major event that goes beyond festive celebrations, encompassing everything that represents Ghana’s culture, music, food, and hospitality. He called for collaboration among stakeholders to make this year’s celebration even more successful.
The Beyond The Return Secretariat is currently accepting submissions for the second batch of events until 16th September.
GTA and partners introduce a welcoming December atmosphere with Akwaaba Village
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in partnership with the Ghana Exim Bank, the Ghana Trade Fair company and the Ghana Airports Company Limited have announced a month-long family-oriented bazaar, Akwaaba Village, as part of its December in GH activities.
This exciting initiative is designed to offer memorable experiences, promote Made in Ghana goods, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ghana through music, food, and art.
December in GH has, in recent times, been named as one the best months to experience Ghana and be a part of the history-making activities of the motherland.
The Akwaaba Village will take place from December 15th, 2023, to January 8th, 2024, near the Hajj Village, located close to the Airport Roundabout. This family-friendly celebration aims to bring people together in a festive atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and highlighting the vibrant spirit of Ghana, including its art, food, music, and nightlife.
“December is one of the most anticipated months in Ghana by tourists globally, as they seek to come to the country and experience the rich culture and a warmth of the Ghanaian people. We are happy to introduce the Akwaaba Village as a highlight of our December in GH 2023 festivities. This activation is not just a celebration; it’s an invitation for families and visitors to immerse themselves in the warmth and hospitality that Ghana is renowned for. Akwaaba Village is a testament to our commitment to promoting local tourism and creating meaningful connections. We invite everyone to join us in making this an unforgettable experience for all.” said Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer, GTA.
With the aim of creating memorable experiences and promoting local tourism attractions and culture, the Akwaaba Village will have a lot to offer both Ghanaians and foreigners, young and old alike.
Key Highlights expected from the Akwaaba Village will include: cultural showcases where guests will experience the diversity of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage through captivating performances, traditional music, and dance Visitors to the Akwaaba Village will also get to indulge in a culinary journey with a variety of local Ghanaian dishes that showcase the flavours and specialities of different regions in Ghana. There will be a display from local artisans offering an opportunity to purchase unique handmade souvenirs.
“Akwaaba Village is made possible through the collaborative efforts of valued partners who share our vision for promoting cultural celebration and local tourism. We extend our sincere gratitude to Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ghana Trade Fair, and Exim Bank for their unwavering commitment to fostering cultural promotion and tourism in Ghana Together with these esteemed partners, we are confident that Akwaaba Village will offer an immersive experience that showcases the best of Ghana’s cultural heritage,” Mr. Agyeman added.
The Akwaaba Village will be the perfect place for cultural lovers and knowledge seekers of the rich heritage of Ghana to partake in music workshops, schooled on Ghanaian games of strategy and broaden their knowledge on the rich Ghanaian heritage.
The Ghana Tourism Authority encourages families, tourists, and the general public to mark their calendars for this extraordinary celebration of Ghana’s culture and hospitality.
Interested vendors can call 059 708 4223 or 059 742 3304 to be a part of this history-making event.
2023 ‘December in GH’ Calendar of Events Outdoored
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Final Calendar for December in GH 2023 Events Calendar outdoor
ACCRA, GHANA – The highly anticipated final calendar for December in GH 2023 events has been announced today. Presented by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Beyond the Return Secretariat (BTR), the calendar highlights several events across the length and breadth of the country which bring numerous benefits to the entire tourism and creative arts ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2019 by GTA as part of The Year of Return, December in GH has become a major highlight on Ghana’s cultural and tourism calendar, attracting visitors from around the world who are eager to experience the nation’s vibrant heritage , arts and entertainment scene. This year’s calendar promises an even more spectacular showcase, offering a platform to explore Ghana and connect with several local communities during the festive season. The collaboration between the Ghana Tourism Authority and event organizers is instrumental in making December in GH a resounding success each year.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the unveiling of the December in GH calendar, stating, “We are thrilled to present the final calendar for December in GH 2023. This year’s events promise to showcase the best of Ghana’s culture, music, heritage, and entertainment scene. We extend our gratitude to all event organizers for their support in partnering with the Authority to make this a truly memorable and impactful celebration.”
Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, shared her enthusiasm, saying, “The unveiling of the December in GH calendar marks the culmination of months of careful curation and collaboration. We are proud to offer an unforgettable experience that fosters deeper connections within the global African diaspora and our local Ghanaian community.”
According to data from the Ghana Tourism Authority, December in GH activities contribute significantly to the tourism value chain and ecosystem, creating a positive impact on various sectors especially for SMEs. The events generate increased tourism demand, leading to higher hotel occupancy rates, restaurant visits, transportation usage, and local artisan sales. This surge in economic activity benefits business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs, as well as the local communities . Moreover, the December activities contribute to the preservation and promotion of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
Detailed information about the events listed in the final ccalendar can be found on www.decemberingh.com, and will be continuously promoted on social media platforms and official websites. We encourage everyone to follow Ghana Tourism Authority and Beyond the Return on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, for updates and further details.
About Ghana Tourism Authority & Beyond the Return
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), operating under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, plays a vital role in promoting, marketing, regulating, and licensing tourism in Ghana. GTA is also the overseeing body for the Beyond the Return Secretariat. Beyond the Return is an initiative that seeks to deepen connections between Ghana and the global African diaspora, focusing on cultural, educational, economic, and social exchanges.
Government Announces ‘Non-Pre-Approval’ Visa-on-Arrival for ‘December in GH’ 2023
Government working through the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority has announced the scraping of the requirements for the “Pre-approved” visa on arrival regime for this year’s December In GH 2023 celebration.
By this, visitors traveling to the country will not be required to have “pre-approved” Visa-On-Arrival” before they are allowed to board flights into the country. Rather, visitors and travelers would just have be allowed to board flights and be issued Visa-On-Arrival at the airport upon their arrival at a fee of $150.
It will be recalled that a similar step was taken last year with Visa-On-Arrival being reduced to $75.
Below are the releases.
‘December in GH’ 2022 Campaign launched
Accra August 4, 2022
The shining ‘Black Star’ of Africa is ready for you to come and celebrate your December in Ghana. Each year the holiday celebrations in Ghana keep getting bigger and attracting people from around the world. Expectations are high for this year as global tourism continues to increase. “Today as we launch ‘December in GH’ 2022, we take pride in seeing Ghana continue to be the leading country of choice for travel during the holiday season in West Africa,” said the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. “Tourism has become one of the most important sectors in Ghana’s economy and shows no sign of slowing down. We anticipate that ‘December in GH’ for 2022 will become record-breaking as more travellers take the journey to Ghana,” he said at the official launch event which took place at La Palm Royal Beach Resort on 4th August 2022.
‘December in GH’ was originally launched in 2019, during the Year of Return as a tourism activation and has since become an important part of marketing events that attract thousands to visit Ghana for the holiday season into the new year. “‘December in GH’ is one of the biggest activations in our tourism sector and one that touches on the three pillars of our ministry; tourism, arts and culture,” said Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). “Many of the events are also central to the pillars of the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative as we continue to engage with the historical diaspora community….Events in December have become flagships that attract people from around the world who plan their vacation in Ghana around event’s dates.” Despite the pandemic the last couple of years, people in the global diaspora community have continued to visit Ghana and have especially looked forward to some of the popular events that celebrate the country’s culture through music, fashion, live performances, food and culture.
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, was in attendance for the launch receiving a citation for the work he has done since 2019 in bridging the gap between the diaspora and Ghana. “Ghana is important to Africa, Ghana is important to the diaspora,” he said in his address. “Once we link as a diaspora we are stronger…it’s through the African diaspora that we can succeed.” The citation was presented to him by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return secretariat. “We look forward to the continued development of our relationship with the NAACP in encouraging the diaspora to make the trip to Ghana,” Agyeman said.
Some of the industry stakeholders present at the event included the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Sackey, the Board for the Ghana Tourism Authority, Steering Committee Members for Beyond the Return, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Yofi Grant and the Director of the National Commission on Culture, Edna Nyame. Along with industry stakeholders, some event organizers were also in attendance at the launch. Some of the events returning for this year include Afrochella, Afro Nation, Akwaaba UK, Rhythms on da Runway, Kids in Tourism, GT Bank Concern, BHIM Concert, Joyful Way and A Taste of Ghana. There are some exciting new events also added to this year’s calendar of events, which will soon to be announced in the coming weeks.
By Ivy Prosper
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