National Geographic announces Ghana as one of top destinations for 2023
The year 2023 is just around the corner and amongst the top 25 breathtaking places and experiences for any traveller is Ghana.
Nation Geographic has taken the lead, to inspire travellers for the coming year and help them plan with “the hope is that 2023 will be not just a big return to travel but also to rediscovering wonder,” according to Amy Alipio, senior editor for National Geographic Travel and quoted on CNN travel.
In the announcement by National Geographic, Ghana is featured in the category ‘Community’ which was introduced in this year’s list, replacing “sustainability” with a broader “community” category highlighting how conservation benefits everyone.
The list which announces destinations for the year ahead, highlights places filled with wonder, rewarding to travellers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems.
Ghana is thus being recognised as “an important destination for Black heritage travellers in West Africa”. National Geographic is therefor urging travellers to “head to Ghana to explore Black heritage and hang out with a fashion-forward crowd in the capital, Accra.”
Below is the list of the top 25.
National Geographic’s Best of the World 2023 list:
Busan, South Korea
Longmen Grottoes, Henan Province, China
Egypt
Charleston, South Carolina
Botswana
Slovenia
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Azores
Choquequirao, Peru
Utah
Austrian Alps
Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Alberta, Canada
Laos
Ghana
San Francisco Crosstown Trail, California
Colombia
Manchester, United Kingdom
Switzerland
This announcement comes on the heels of several others in the past 4 years since Ghana launched renewed efforts at marketing its tourism with the flagship ‘Year of Return‘ campaign and its successor, the “Beyond The Return“.
Ghana also launched the ‘December In GH‘ campaign making the country a hub for fun and entertainment during the yuletide. This has drawn many people of African origin to visit the motherland including several Hollywood stars, Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP. Campaign hashtags include: #DestinationGhana #ExperienceGhana #ShareGhana #VisitGhanaNow #SeeGhana #EatGhana #WearGhana #FeelGhana
By: Collins, sourced from National Geographic & CNN
African Diaspora in Ghana to join Beyond the Return to plant trees as Ghana goes green
The ‘Beyond The Return’ program is partnering with the local diaspora community to plant trees for the “Green Ghana Project,” which is an initiative championed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission.
On Friday, 11th June 2021, five million trees will be planted across Ghana. Planting trees will help protect watersheds, reduce erosion and moderate the climate, and serve as habitat and provide food for many birds and other wildlife.
Diasporans representing the Diaspora Coalition, African American Association of Ghana, Ghana Caribbean Association, Omega Psi Phi Tau Chi chapter, and Voyajah will plant trees on behalf of the ‘Beyond The Return’ program and the Give Back Ghana” pillar.
About Beyond the Return
‘Beyond the Return’ is a 10-year initiative with the theme, ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’. The vision is to continue fostering relationships with the global diaspora community through tourism, investments and repatriation.
The initiative is a follow up to Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign and is Cordinated by the Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
For more information about ‘Beyond The Return’ visit www.beyondthereturngh.com or social media @beyondthereturn
CNN Travel Names Ghana As One Top 21 Places To Visit In 2021
Canada
Disney parks
Dubai
Egypt
France
Ghana

Greece
Grenada
Hawaii
Italy
Japan
Maldives
Mexico
New Zealand
New York City
Singapore
Spain
Thailand
United Kingdom
Uruguay
GIPC, GTA and GUBA organise ‘A Taste Of Ghana: Rock Your African Print’ to showcase rich Ghanaian culture
Accra, December 23, 2020
As an endeavour to showcase the rich Ghanaian culture and promote local businesses, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and GUBA is organising ‘A Taste of Ghana: Rock Your African Print’, on the 28th of December 2020, at the Accra Polo Club.
A Taste of Ghana is a unique event that aims to project the beauty of Ghanaian culture and heritage. Bringing together Ghanaians and the African Diaspora, the event will primarily foster an informal networking session for all attendees, and to also encourage the support and patronage of Made in Ghana products.
The array of activities for the days’ event will include live music sessions, fashion shows and performances, while vendors will also be on site showcasing various authentic and delicious Ghanaian dishes, local drinks, art, and fashion items.
Touching on the significance of the event, CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr Yofi Grant said “Ghana has always been recognised as a country with rich cultural heritage and gained even more traction following the recent year of return initiative which welcomed lots of our people within the diaspora. I therefore look forward to this event creating avenues to harness opportunities between indigenes and diasporas for the benefit of the nation “.
Buttressing the comments of Mr Grant, the CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Akwasi Agyeman added that “beyond the fun and rich cultural experience, I believe we can leverage such events to continuously promote tourism in Ghana and create business opportunities for Ghanaians”.
Keeping with the celebration of Ghanaian culture, and the obvious title of the event, patrons are encouraged to come “Rocking an African Print.
The event is scheduled for 2pm to 10pm and patrons can look forward to an interesting time with friend and family while experiencing and capturing the sights, feels, sounds and tastes of Ghana.
A Taste of Ghana is a Beyond the Return Initiative, sponsored by Absa Bank Ghana, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Ghana EXIM bank. It is also partnered by The BridgeZone and powered by E-volution.
For enquiries, tickets, and information, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/133744464293
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About Grow, Unite, Build, Africa
GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans back home through various socio – economic programs and initiatives.
The organisation has various brand activities namely: GUBA Awards, GUBA Foundation, GUBA Trade Expo, GUBA Careers, GUBA Diaspora Card, GUBA Tours and Rock Your African Print.
Contact: Claudia Andrews
Email: [email protected]
About Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is a Government agency, responsible to encourage and promote investments in Ghana, to provide for the creation of an attractive incentive framework and a transparent, predictable, and facilitating environment for investments in Ghana.
About Ghana Tourism Authority
The Ghana Tourism Authority is the public service agency in charge of regulating tourism in Ghana through marketing and promotion, licensing and classification of tourism facilities and services, research, and development.
‘Travel, Snap And Win Campaign’ Launched To Promote Domestic Tourism
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has on Monday, December 21, 2020, launched a social media travel and win campaign to reward deserving Ghanaian tourists during this Christmas festivities.
As part of the Authority’s mandate to drive the agenda of tourism and enhance the active participation of locals in the tourism and hospitality industries, the GTA has initiated a 6 weeks’ campaign christened ‘The Snap Tour’ campaign.
The campaign scheduled for 21st December 2020 to 31st January 2021 is to reward Ghanaian indigenes who make efforts to travel to local tourist destinations of their choice within the Campaign timeframe.
The Snap Tour Campaign is aimed at rediscovering Ghanaian tourist sites and further rekindling the dying fire of Domestic Tourism due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
To be part of the set of lucky winners for the Snap Tour social media campaign, participants must visit any local tourist sites of their choice, take photos and share on their various social media platforms alongside the campaign’s hashtags.
The full rules for participation are found below:
HOW TO JOIN
All Ghanaians above the age of 18 are eligible to participate in this contest. To participate, kindly follow the rules below:
Step 1: Travel to your favorite tourist location from 21st December 2020 to 31st January 2021.
Step 2: Take a photo of yourself at your chosen tourist location. Photos taken prior to the campaign dates shall be nullified. Filters will be used to screen photos.
Step 3: Explore your creativity. Post your best photo with an amazing caption on all social media handles.
Step 4: Tag our social media handles in your post and use the hashtag #Snaptour. Social media channels in focus are:
Facebook – Ghana Tourism Authority (@ghanatourismauthority)
Twitter – ghanatourismGTA (@ghanatourismGTA)
Instagram – Ghana Tourism Authority (@ghanatourismauthority)
SELECTION OF WINNERS
Weekly winners
3 Winners shall be selected at the end of every week. These winners shall be determined based on their overall engagements (shares, comments and likes) on the photos they submitted in the contest. They shall also be judged based on best caption and best photo.
Final Winners: 3 Winners shall be selected at the end of the campaign. These winners shall be determined based on their overall engagements (shares, comments and likes) on the photos they submitted in the contest. They shall also be judged based on best caption and best photo.
PRIZES
Weekly winners
CATEGORIES
PRIZES
TEAVEL SEE SNAP & WIN
Return Airline Ticket (Domestic)
PICK TRAVEL
Ghana Made Goodies worth GHS400
#IREP MY REGION
Ghana made goodies worth GHS400
FINAL WINNERS
CATEGORIES
PRIZES
TRAVEL, SEE, SNAP & WIN
A Weekend Stay for 2 @ 5 star Hotel + Return Ticket+ Ghana Made Goodies
PICK TRAVEL
Return Airline Ticket (Domestic)
#IREP MY REGION
Return Airline Ticket (Domestic)
GFA, GTA & PFAG Collaborate On ‘Visit Ghana, Bring Back The Love Football Tour’
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has launched the Visit Ghana Football Tour at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC) on Friday, October 2, 2020.
The campaign dubbed BEYOND THE RETURN, FOOTBALL RETURNS is aimed at igniting the passion for football in both local and diasporan communities, whilst promoting Ghana as a tourist destination.
The campaign tour will officially kick- start at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium with the “Battle of the Stars” football match as a way of promoting domestic football and domestic tourism.
The Deputy CEO of Operations, GTA, Mr. Ekow Sampson who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, stated that, ” football is such an important sporting event that draws attention to itself, and this is the main reason for many investors including tourism are interested in football. Football vitalizes the tourism sector and increases patronage of hotels, restaurants, transportation, nightclubs, visit to tourist sites and all other tourism sectors which in return generates revenue and redistributes income.
The President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr. Kurt Okraku said football promotes tourism, and tourism promotes football.
He also revealed that the launch is going to kickstart the activities that would lead to the reopening of the 2020/2021 football season.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony include; the President of the Ghana Football Association Mr. Kurt Edwin Okraku, Member of the Black Stars Committee: Alhaji Abu Alhasan Jones, Deputy CEO Operations, GTA: Mr. Ekow Sampson.
The General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana, Mr. Solomon Thompson, The Deputý General Secretary of Confederation of African Football, CAF, Mr. Anthony Baffour, General Secretary, GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, and the Deputy General Secretary, GFA, Mr Alex Asante.
Other officials include; Former Black Star Player: Yusif Chibsah, the Manager for Product Development and Investment(GTA): Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Manager for Research Monitoring and evaluation(GTA): Mr. Spencer Doku, Manager for Operations(GTA): Mr. Michael Kpingbi, Manager for Corporate Affairs (GTA): Rev. Jones Aruna Nelson, Director of Communications, GFA: Henry Asante Twum and Representatives of Decathlon, Ghana.
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.”
Board inaugurated to manage Bunso Arboretum tourism
The Ghana Tourism Authority together with the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has inaugurated a five-member management board to see to the affairs of the Bunso Arboretum tourism site located at Bunso in the Eastern Region.
They are expected to elevate the tourist site to a world-class eco-tourism destination.
The members are Mr Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Daniel Ofori Attah, a representative of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Dr Seth Appiah Kubi, Executive Director of A-Rocha Ghana, Kwame Boateng, a board member of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Albert Mensah of DCCL, the current managers of Bunso Arboretum.
The rest are Frederick Adjei-Rudolph the Eastern Regional Manager of GTA, Nana Twumasi a representative of Okyeman Environmental Foundation and a member each from the Forestry Commission and CSIR.
Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the chief of the Akyem Abuakwa who inaugurated the board tasked them to make the tourist site one of the best in Africa.
“This new role is very difficult because you will be working to make Ghana a better country, people go onto boards and become very rich suddenly but this board is exceptional. This is an eco-friendly investment enterprise and if we manage it well it will become a treasure for Ghana which will end us great forex exchange.”
” Many well-to-do nations do not have natural resources and minerals but they have managed their tourist sites very well which has then become a major revenue generating point for them and I believe Bunso Arboretum has all the medicinal trees, plants and species and a calm environment to also become one of the best tourist attractions in the country and beyond so i urge you all to work very hard for us to achieve this dream”.
Speaking to Journalists after the inauguration, the Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Tourism Authority Mr Akwasi Agyemang indicated the authority’s commitment to making Ghana a tourist destination.
“Ghana Tourism Authority is committed to making the country a tourist hub by harnessing every potential site so we have put together one of the finest architects and engineers to join the team which will be managing the affairs at Bunso Arboretum for us to get the best out of the place. This year we launched the Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, See Ghana campaign all in the name of promoting Ghana, our President recently stated when he visited Tamale that we should not wait for foreigners to come to our country to tell us to visit our sites before we do so”.
“We have put plans in place to ensure the Bunso Arboretum provides Job for the youth in the area and improve economic activities in the area. We will add a playing ground to the site, hotels and resting places to facelift the site and work to ensure Bunso Arboretum becomes one of the best tourist destinations in the country.”
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Source: citinewsroom.com