The Ghana Tourism Authority held its Stakeholders Consultative meeting April 13-14, 2021 with stakeholders in the tourism industry at the Hill View Hotel in Teiman-Abokobi. The goal of the meeting was to work towards developing strategies that would boost both domestic and sub-regional tourism to Ghana. A focus on increasing international tourism through the Beyond the Return campaign was also in the discussion.

The new Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has set goals to increase tourism arrivals in Ghana for the remainder of 2021. His vision was the foundation of the tourism targets discussed in the meeting; Domestic Tourism Arrivals – 600, 000, Sub Regional Tourism Arrivals (ECOWAS) – 250, 000 and Beyond the Return Arrivals – 700, 000.

Everyone in attendance was tasked to find strategies to help boost numbers in all areas. After a successful year for tourism in 2019, Ghana, like the rest of the world, suffered big losses on the tourism front. Key people in attendance at the meeting were the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations, GTA, Ekow Sampson, President of the Ghana Hoteliers Association, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyameke, President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana, (TUOGHA) Alisa Osei Asamoah, CEO of Apstar Tours and former TOUGHA President, Stella Apenteng, CEO of Exotic Adventures and Advisor to TORGAG, Kwaku Pasah, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) Emmanuel Frimpong, President of Car Rentals Association of Ghana, Seth Ocran and Manager of Beyond the Return Secretariat, Annabelle McKenzie. Other important stakeholders present were CEO of Dodi Travel and Tours, Ahmed Naaman, CEO of Sunseekers and Sun Lodge Hotel, Kwame Ansong, some Management Staff of Ghana Tourism Authority and other tourism professionals.

In his opening address to the group, Agyeman said the purpose of the meeting was, “To have a concerted effort to drive both domestic and regional tourism growth and build a collective sector strategy for growth and development.” He went on to speak briefly on how the pandemic affected the sector last year and that we’re working towards improvements for the remainder of 2021. One of the key concerns was how the government and private sectors could work together towards a common goal.

Breakout sessions at the meeting allowed everyone to brainstorm ideas and marketing strategies to help Ghana’s tourism industry recover from last year’s challenges. Agyeman said, “We need to find what factors attract people.” He highlighted the importance of all the stakeholders to create a seamless experience for all tourists in Ghana whether domestic or international. As the meeting wrapped up he noted that because many people around the world have delayed their international travel plans due to the pandemic, putting an emphasis on domestic tourism would be a positive way forward.

With decades of experience as a holistic health practitioner, Queen Afua is on a mission to help women and men around the world gain the practical knowledge to take care of themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.  She arrived in Ghana on 23rd March with a delegation of like-minded influential people who are also looking to make a connection with the continent of Africa.  

The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, Akwasi Ababio, welcomed Queen Afua and her delegation for a meeting which included Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs, Nadia Adongo Musah, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman and the Presidential Advisor on Health, Anthony Nsiah-Asare.  Ababio shared the role of his office and felt it was important for them to meet not only himself, but those who also work inside the presidency.  “This drive to welcome our people back home…we are not just doing that for the tourism side of it, but also for the spiritual side of it and the well-being of people once they come to Africa,” Ababio said.

Among those who travelled with Queen Afua that were in attendance at the meeting were, Attorney and Political Analyst, Angela Rye, Celebrity Chef, Lauren Von Der Pool, Workshop Presenter and Business Strategist Sherease Torrain, World Famous Painter and Artist, Leroy Campbell, Cultural Ambassador, Wellness Coach and Dancer, Queen Esther Sarr, Recording Artist, Cultural Ambassador and Educator, Iminah Laura Ahmad, Documentary Filmmaker, Robert Gay, Executive Assistant and Womb Wellness Coach, Alexis Froe, and Business Strategist, Goddess Deborah Webb. 

The global pandemic has taught us the importance of taking care of our health and ensuring our bodies have the strongest immune systems.  Practicing and teaching a lifestyle of healthy eating is what Queen Afua has dedicated over 50 years of her life to as a holistic health expert.  She expressed her plans to open a wellness centre that would draw from Ghana’s natural environment. She presented some of her products created using 100% plant-based ingredients and spoke about the value of healing ourselves through what we eat.  “We can use nature to restore us, to heal us,” she said.  Samples of her products were shared to prove its effectiveness.  Adumua-Bossman was the first to try one and was instantly impressed with how quickly he noticed the results.  Others also tried the product including Ababio and Adongo Musah. 

This isn’t Queen Afua’s first visit to Ghana, she’s been here before and recognizes the value of Ghana in helping people to reach their goals of better health and wellness.  She has changed the lives of so many people through her products.  Queen Afua’s lifelong devotion to helping people fight disease through the power of food and self-care is one she hopes will be  embraced in Ghana. Through her workshops and books, she has already inspired over one million people in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.