Ghana continues to be the destination of choice in West Africa during the holiday season with thousands of travellers arriving in the country throughout the month of December. Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has recognized this as an opportunity to engage with the diaspora community by encouraging them to partake in the various activities that attract them to the country for the season. GTA and the Beyond the Return Secretariat announced last week that events would be coming on in December, for which covid-19 protocols would be put in place.
Today, they officially announce the full calendar of endorsed events for their annual ‘December in GH’ (December in Ghana) activities. “We’re excited to share all the events happening in Ghana for the holiday season,” said Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat. “This time we have also endorsed events happening in other regions including the Volta Region, Upper East Region and Western Region. We’re looking forward to having Ghanaians come out to enjoy the activities and connecting with the diaspora who will be travelling to Ghana once again for the holidays.”
Afrochella is one of the biggest cultural events in Ghana and one of the most highly anticipated. It was the first to officially announce they would be back for this year’s December in GH activities. Scheduled for 28th December at El Wak Stadium, it promises to be a celebration filled with Africa’s diversity through music, art, food and fashion.
A Taste of Ghana will be back once again to celebrate the unique cultures of Ghana by showcasing food, fashion, and music of the various regions. The event will be on 27th December and is a collaboration of Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and Beyond the Return. Other confirmed events on the schedule includes Diaspora Transition, Migration 2 Ghana, Diaspora Drive, GUBA Tours, Polo Beach Club, Fashion Connect Africa, A Joyful Way – Explosion of Joy and many more.
The team is looking forward to the events attracting people from around the world as travel restrictions have eased over the last few months. Last week, it was announced that covid protocols would be put in place to ensure the health and safety of guests at all events throughout the season.
Beyond the Return is a 10-year initiative and a follow up to the successful Year of Return in 2019 that attracted thousands of visitors to Ghana. The theme for the initiative is ‘A Decade of African Renaissance’ and its foundation has seven pillars that touch on the areas Ghana is working towards in strengthening relations with its diaspora community. Each of the events have their own unique traits that will align with the pillars which are; Experience Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Give Back Ghana, Brand Ghana, Promote Pan-African Heritage and Innovation, Invest in Ghana and Diaspora Pathways to Ghana.
The team has noted that event organizers interested in having their programs included as part of the official calendar of events can still submit their proposals to the Beyond the Return Secretariat office via email at [email protected]. “We want all parts of Ghana represented this year so we are open to seeing proposals of activities taking place outside of Greater Accra,” said Ms. McKenzie.
Organizers should note that in order to be endorsed they must comply with the covid protocols that were announced last week. These were set by the National Covid-19 Task Force and the Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare. The CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman said, “Guests will be required to present covid-19 vaccination cards prior to entering all the events that are going to be endorsed.” He also said that face masks would be required for all attendees aged five and above, temperature checks upon entry and sanitizer systems must be utilized.
Follow Beyond the Return on social media @beyondthereturn on both Facebook and Instagram for updates as events share more details. Also visit the website www.beyondthereturngh.com for updates under latest news stories.
By: Ivy Prosper
