GHANA: Two Kidnapped Canadian Women Rescued

Ashanti Regional Police Command in conjunction with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has temporarily closed down the Ahodwo apartments where the two female Canadians were lodging before the abduction.

According to the police and official of the Tourism Authority, the apartment is not registered nor been licensed as a commercial property to rent out rooms to the public.

The police further grounded it's reason for closing down the facility citing the hotel of breach of security for failing to provide duty post, security officer including installation of Close Circuit Television ( CCTV) cameras.

The Tourism Authority has pasted a notice of closure at the entrance of the facility, warning the general public not to patronise the hotel.

Officers of the Tourism Authority alleged that the apartment operated without meeting the legal requirement as provided under Legislative Instrument LI 2238 and 2239 for accommodation of food beverage and entertainment enterprises.

It is not clear when the facility would reopen but the Ashanti Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority, Theophilus Acheampong is said to have told media that the apartment is where the Canadian girls stayed.

The Hotel, he claimed has not registered with the Tourism Authority for license to operate as such and therefore it's operations is deemed illegal.

The Regional Tourism Officer said they will continue the exercise to other facilities within the region to ensure that they have security safety system installed for clients.

Two Canadian women have been rescued after they were kidnapped last week by gunmen in Ghana's second city, Kumasi, a government minister has said.

The two students, aged 19 and 20, were working as volunteers for a charity when they were seized.

Kidnappings in Ghana, regarded as one of West Africa's most stable states, are extremely rare.

However, there have been several recently, usually involving ransom demands.

Security forces carried out an operation in the early hours of Wednesday to rescue the women, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said in a statement.

The pair were volunteering for Youth Challenge International, which confirmed their names as Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chitty.

The Toronto-based organisation said both women are physically unhurt and have been in contact with their families

Canadian officials thanked the Ghana government for its cooperation in the resolution of this case.

In a statement, they said no further details will be released for privacy concerns and out of respect to these two Canadians who have been through harrowing experiences.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has vowed to take tough action to end the spate of abductions in the country.

The chairman of Ghana's main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was briefly detained by police on Tuesday as a suspect in kidnappings.

Credible and actionable intelligence led to the arrest of Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, police said in a statement posted on Twitter, without specifying which kidnappings he was allegedly linked to.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo has not commented on the allegations, but NDC general secretary Aseidu Nketia said his arrest was an attempt to intimidate us and frustrate our activities.

In April, an Indian man was seized in Kumasi by an armed gang demanding a ransom. He was later rescued by police.

An Estonian diplomat was also rescued by police after being kidnapped in April in the capital, Accra.

Police are still searching for three Ghanaian women kidnapped in December in the southern city of Takoradi.


Tourism Observer

GHANA: Citi FM Is Tourism Oriented Radio

The Ghana Tourism Authority has adjudged Citi FM as Greater Accra’s Tourism-oriented Radio Station of the Year for 2017.

The award was presented to the station during the Greater Accra Regional Tourism Awards held last night [Friday], February 16, 2018 in Accra.

According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, Citi FM was awarded because of its efforts towards the growth of the tourism sector through its flagship road trip, the Heritage Caravan.

The Heritage Caravan is a 7-day trip that gives participants the opportunity to tour the ten regions of Ghana, combining the exciting journey with the unforgettable experience of visiting scenic locations in Ghana.

The Head of Events at Citi FM, Ranstina Lee Yankey told Citi News that the award is a recognition of the impact the Heritage Caravan is making in the country.

Heritage Caravan set for third edition

The 3rd edition of Heritage Caravan, will come off from 4th to 10th March 2018.

In 2017, patrons had a wonderful experience visiting places such as the Mole National Park, the Military Museum in Kumasi, the Slave Memorial at Assin Manso and the crocodile pond at Paga, among others.

A number of activities were also organized to spice up the trip which created an opportunity for patrons to bond and interact with other people.

This year’s trip promises to be even more exciting, as Citi FM has vowed to give patrons nothing but an unforgettable experience.

Other awards for Citi FM

This award is the latest in a series of accolades garnered by the station in recent months.

Citi FM was last weekend adjudged as the best media house in tax information dissemination for the year 2017.

The award, presented to the station by the Ghana Revenue Authority [GRA], was in recognition of its consistent discussions on tax issues which affected revenue mobilization for the year under review.

Citi FM picks two awards at CIMG Awards

Last September, the station also picked up two awards at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) for the year 2016.

The Citi Breakfast Show was adjudged the Radio Programme of the Year, citifmonline.com was named as the Emerging Digital Media Organization.

The awards handed to the station, according to CIMG, were in “recognition of your excellence in strategic marketing in the year 2016.”

That was the third time in four years the Citi Breakfast Show was adjudged the Radio Programme of the Year, a demonstration of the show’s consistency in delivery quality radio service to discerning listeners in the country.

6 GJA awards; anti-galamsey campaign recognized

The station in December 2017, also strengthened its position as one of Ghana’s leading radio brands as it bagged six awards at the Ghana Journalists Association [GJA] Awards at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

The station’s anti-galamsey campaign, ‘Stop Galamsey Now’, which was launched in 2017, came up for special mention at the ceremony, with the station picking up an award for its unrelenting fight against the menace.

Citi FM’s flagship programme, the Citi Breakfast Show, was named the best talkshow on radio, adding to the award it won at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) awards in September this year.

Citi FM also picked up honours for Best Political Reporting as well as an Anti-Corruption Award for the station.

Host of the station’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue, Umaru Sanda Amadu, also picked up an award for his work in development journalism, which is contributing towards the attainments of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Another of the station’s reporters, Kojo Agyeman, who emerged first runner-up in the 2017 edition of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards, was also given a special award for his reports.


Tourism Observer

GHANA: Akwasi Agyeman Appointed Acting CEO Of The Ghana Tourism Authority

The Managing Director of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting (GMA), Akwasi Agyeman, has been appointed acting CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

The Tulane University trained banker and management expert, is expected to bring his banking experience to bear on the Authority.

He is currently in charge of the broadcasting wing of the Global Media Alliance, which includes e.TV Ghana, Happy FM and Y FM (Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi).

Before joining GMA as a founding partner, Akwasi Agyeman worked in various senior level capacities with Ecobank, Merchant Bank and Stanbic Bank in South Africa. He was also a Business Analyst for Entergy Inc. in New Orleans, USA.

Mr. Agyeman has several years experience in Project Management, Crisis Communications, PR and Media Relations across the African continent.

His involvement in several projects including event management, corporate positioning, corporate communications, media relations, image building and public relations across Africa, provides him a great opportunity as he heads Ghana’s buoyant tourism sector.

Akwasi Agyeman, who is the President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), also serves on several boards including Graphic Communications Group Ltd, and Silverbird Entertainment Ghana Ltd.

Akwasi Agyeman holds an MBA in Marketing and Information Systems from Tulane University in Louisiana, USA. He also holds a BA in Social Sciences and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Ghana.

In 2016, he was awarded for his outstanding contribution to Media Excellence in Ghana at the Radio and TV Personality (RTP) Awards.

GHANA: Labadi Beach Hotel Wins 5 Star Hotel Of The Year

Ghana’s Premier hotel, Labadi Beach Hotel once again consolidated their lead in the hospitality industry by winning the 5-Star Hotel of the Year category at the recently held 12th National Tourism Awards which came off on Friday, 18 December.

The citation for the award read “Labadi Beach Hotel was the trail blazer when It began operating as Ghana’s first five (5) Star establishment. Over the years, the hotel has maintained its commitment to service excellence and high customer satisfaction endearing itself to its many domestic and international patrons. It has served as the preferred residence of many visiting dignitaries and heads of state’’

The latest award is the fourth consecutive award the hotel has won since the inception of the Ghana Tourism Awards over years ago. The National Tourism Awards is an annual award scheme by the Ghana Tourism Authority to reward and celebrate industry players who have excelled in promoting the hospitality and tourism industry.

Labadi Beach Hotel recently celebrated its silver jubilee anniversary of its operation in Ghana. The hotel boosts of 164 Rooms, with 2 presidential suites, and state of the art conference rooms, spa facilities and leisure pool.

GHANA: Kwame Ofosu Bamfo Voted Hotelier Of The Year

The Chairman of Alisa Hotels and 2015 Best Hotelier award-winner Kwame Ofosu Bamfo has urged business owners in the tourism industry to continually invest in their facilities so as to help speed up Ghana’s tourism development drive. “If properly packaged and presented, tourism can save Ghana’s economy from the numerous challenges it currently faces, as has happened in many industrialised as well as developing countries,” he pointed out. Mr. Bamfo, popularly known as Sikkens, made the call after he was honoured by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) at separate events held recently in Accra. The GHA voted him Hotelier of the Year 2015 at its maiden awards ceremony held in Accra, while the GTA gave him a special award for ‘Outstanding Investment in Tourism, 2015’.

He thanked the two organisations for the honour done him and pledged his commitment to the national effort to develop the tourism industry, and also reiterated his call for innovative ways improving service delivery in the hospitality industry.

“We need to increase the comfort of our guests and also train staff members and expose them to new trends to enable them delight customers and thus encourage repeat visits.” The citation from the tourism authority stated that: “Mr. Kwame Ofosu Bamfo is a classic example of Ghanaian entrepreneurial acumen, having successfully ventured into the tourism sector in 1999 with the initial construction and operation of the 14-bedroom Alisa Hotel in Labone and later North Ridge, Accra.

“Today, Alisa Hotel is a four-star rated hotel with 267 rooms delivering hospitality services with a touch of elegance and style that makes every Ghanaian proud. For this achievement, the Ghana Tourism Authority is pleased to confer on Mr. Kwame Ofosu Bamfo the Outstanding Investment in Tourism 2015 award,” the GTA noted.

Located in the heart of Ghana’s capital city, Alisa Hotel offers easy access to the commercial district, Accra’s tourist attractions, and is only 15 minutes from the Kotoka International Airport. Set in a serene and cozy neighborhood, the hotel offers a wide range of leisure facilities and is fast becoming Ghana’s conference address.

The hotel has over the years received many awards because it continues to invest in a true evolution, delivering panache and genuine world-class hospitality with a distinctive new rhythm and style. Its 267 magnificent hotel suites, guestrooms and 12 conference rooms with various capacities demonstrate tasteful design of the finest materials from floor-to-ceiling, showcasing a sophisticated urban feel with plush picturesque views of the capital.

TANZANIA: Members And Attractions Nominated for 23rd Annual World Travel Awards

Tanzania has registered a total of 24 entries which have been nominated for 23rd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA) in an event set to take place at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est in Zanzibar, Tanzania on Saturday, April 9th, 2016; where winners in different categories will be announced in the dazzling red-carpet ceremony that will welcome hospitality leaders and luminaries from across the regions.

Among the entries from Tanzania is the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) which is competing under the Destination category of Africa’s leading Tourist Board 2016 against with Egyptian Tourist Authority, Gambia Tourism Board, Ghana Tourism Authority, Kenya Tourism Board and Moroccan National Tourism Organization. Others are Namibia Tourism Board, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and Zanzibar Commission for Tourism

Entries from Tanzania and their categories in bracket are Julius Nyerere International Airport (Air category – Africa’s Leading Airport 2016) Dar es salaam and Zanzibar Ports (Cruise category –Africa’s Leading Cruise port 2016) Zanzibar (Destination category –Africa’s Leading beach destination 2016 and Africa’s Leading destination 2016) Mt. Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro crater (Destination category – Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2016) Serengeti National Park (Destination category – Africa’s Leading National Park 2016 and Tanzania Tourist Board (Destination category – Africa’s Leading Tourist Board 2016.

Others are Zanzibar’s Diamond La Gemma dell’Est, Dream of Zanzibar and Hideaway of Nungwi Resort &Spa (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading All-inclusive Resort 2016); Zanzibar’s Bluebay Beach Resort & , Dream of Zanzibar, Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa and Diamond La Gemma dell’Est (Hotel & Resorts category–Africa’s Leading Beach Resort 2016): Serena Hotel –Dar es salaam (Hotel & Resorts –Africa’s Leading city Hotel 2016); SingitaSasakwa Lodge (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading Luxury lodge 2016); Breezes Beach Club, Karafuu Beach & Spa and Dream of Zanzibar (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading Resort 2016); & Zanzibar’s Beyond Mnembe Island Lodge and Chapwani Private Island (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading Private Island Resort 2016): Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge 2016) and Singita Sabora Camp and Jongomero Camp (Hotel & Resorts – Africa’s Leading Tented Safari Camp 2016.

With more than 1,500 Africa & Indian Ocean nominations now revealed, voting which started 1st February is expected to be highly competitive right up until the February 29th deadline. World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “This is always an exciting time of year for World Travel Awards, as we unveil the nominees for the first Gala Ceremony of the year. As we have come to expect it is a stellar list, incorporating the leading lights of hospitality from across Africa and the Indian Ocean.

WTA which was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry, each year covers the globe with a series of regional Gala Ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

In order to cast your vote you need first to register for an account. So to register and thereafter cast your vote, please visit www.worldtravelawards.com/register. A verification email will be sent to your email account and you will need to click the verification link to verify your email address before you can login to cast your vote. Please make sure you vote for Tanzania entries mentioned above.

TANZANIA: Tanzania Vies For Tourism Awards

TANZANIA has registered a total of 24 entries which have been nominated for the 23rd Annual World Travel (WTA) in an event planned to take place at Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est in Zanzibar on April 9.

Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) said in a statement to the press in Dar es Salaam yesterday that winners in different categories will be announced in the dazzling red-carpet ceremony that would welcome hospitality leaders and luminaries across the regions.

Among the entries from Tanzania is the TTB which is competing under the Destination category of Africa’s leading Tourist Board 2016 against Egyptian Tourist Authority and Gambia Tourism Board.

Others are Namibia Tourism Board, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Kenya Tourism Board and Moroccan National Tourism Organization.

Entries from Tanzania and their categories are Julius Nyerere International Airport (Air category - Africa’s Leading Airport 2016), Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Ports (Cruise Category - Africa’s Leading Cruise port 2016) Zanzibar (Destination category-Africa’s Leading beach destination 2016 and Africa’s Leading Destination 2016).

Others are Mt Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro Crater (Destination category-Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2016), Serengeti National Park (Destination category - Africa’s Leading National Park 2016 and Tanzania Tourist Board (Destination category - Africa’s Leading Tourist Board 2016).

In addition, there are Zanzibar’s Diamond La Gemma dell’Est, Dream of Zanzibar and Hideaway of Nungwi Resort and Spa (Hotel and Resorts - Africa’s Leading All inclusive Resort 2016), Zanzibar’s Bluebay Beach Resort and Dream of Zanzibar, Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa and Diamond La Gemma dell’Est (Hotel and Resorts category - Africa’s Leading Beach Resort 2016).

Other entries are Serena Hotel-Dar es Salaam (Hotel and Resorts - Africa’s Leading city hotel 2016) Singita Sasakwa Lodge (Hotel and Resorts - Africa’s Leading Luxury lodge 2016), Breezes Beach Club, Karafuu Beach and Spa and Dream of Zanzibar (Hotel and Resorts -Africa’s Leading Resorts 2016).

The statement further mentioned the entries as Zanzibar and Beyond Mnembe Island Lodge and Chapwani Private Island (Hotel and Resorts - Africa’s Leading Private Island 2016) Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti (Hotel and Resorts - Africa’s Leading Tented Safari Camp 2016) and Singita Sabora Camp and Jongomero Camp (Hotel and Resorts -Africa’s Leading Tented Safari Camp 2016).

According to the statement, with more than 1,500 Africa and Indian Ocean nominations now revealed, voting which started on February 1, is expected to be highly competitive right up until the February 29 deadline.

“This is always an exciting time of the year for World Travel Awards, as we unveil the nominees for the first Gala Ceremony of the year,” the statement quoted the World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke as saying.

GHANA: Ghana's 15-yr Plan To Drive Tourism Growth

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Art, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has revealed that her ministry is rolling-out a 15-year development plan to transform the sector into a major source of revenue.

“In the face of stiff competition from other countries, there is a need for us to raise our game by transforming the tourism sector in order to rake in the needed foreign exchange.

“In this regard, the ministry with technical support from the World Tourism Organisation has developed a comprehensive 15-year Tourism Development Plan that aims at clearly positioning tourism as a major pillar of Ghana’s economy. This calls for accelerated and concerted efforts from all sector industry players,” she said.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare made these comments at the 11th National Tourism Awards 2015 in Accra, which were under the theme ‘Rewarding excellence through healthy competition’. The awards seek to reward excellence and ethical business practices within the tourism sector.

This year’s event saw about 30 companies and individuals in the sector recognised for their various contributions toward growth of tourism in the country.

As part of this agenda, the ministry has already developed a Tourism Development Fund to provide support for the sector’s growth.

The country abounds with numerous tourism potentials, but poor service delivery coupled with lack of investment and infrastructure has over the years denied the looked-for revenue from this sector to the country.

The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to gross domestic product was 3percent of total in 2013 and in 2014 raised to an estimated 9.7 percent, representing a rise of 4.5 percent, as recorded by the Travel and Tourism, Economic Impact 2014 Ghana.

Also, in 2013 Travel & Tourism directly supported 124,500 jobs -- 2.3% of total employment in that year; and went up by an appraised 7.4 percent the following year, an increase of 2.5percent of total employment in 2014.

The Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Charles Osei Bonsu, noted that tourism is a very delicate and competitive industry that requires consistent regulatory supervision around the clock, saying: “This is because at any point in time we are in competition with the over-200 countries and territories which constitute various tourism destinations in the world.

“We don’t have any choice but to compete, and the National Tourism Awards is one of the activities we use to ensure our diverse and discerning visitors obtain value for money,” he added.

GHANA: Hotel Industry In Ghana Falls Under Standards

As many as 14 legislations and policies have been formulated over the years to improve standards in the hotel industry, but many of these are not being implemented by the respective agencies.

Over 1,838 hotels had registered with the Ghana Tourism Authority so far. But a recent study by the Ghana Hotels Association has revealed that the services offered by the hotels do not meet the required standards.

Whilst the 4 and 5 Star hotels are trying to meet the standards, most of the budget and lower class hotels are providing sub-standard services.

The study revealed poor hotel staff grooming and appearance, lack of courtesy towards guests, poor food hygiene, lack of trained chefs and food varieties, inadequate hotel infrastructure and safety measures.

The delivery of poor hotel services has led to low room occupancy in some hotels especially the lower grade ones. Budget hotels within the cities are recording occupancy of about 40 to 45 percent whilst their counterparts in the districts are recording 20 percent occupancy.

The Ghana Hotels Association said this is far below the international benchmark and does not make the hotel business viable.

The BUSAC Fund over the years supported the Ghana Hotels Association to develop customer service and other standards for the hotel industry. These will also serve as the benchmark for grading hotels in conformity with international standards.