Author: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in partnership with the “Beyond the Return” Secretariat has officially “December in GH” 2023 calendar.
The event, which normally commences in the last quarter of the year, has delighted Ghanaians, Africans in the diaspora, and the global community with Ghana’s rich arts and cultural heritage.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman speaking at the media launch of “December In GH” today, August 10th, 2023 at Accra Tourist Information Centre indicated that, “December In GH” is not just a period of events, rather a period of national cohesion, unity and togetherness as a country.
Adding that the initiative has become one key pillar driving tourism growth, direct investments into the country while allowing the African Diaspora to reconnect with their roots.
He mentioned that the GTA and the secretariat will engage various stakeholders to ensure all challenges faced are discussed and resolved to make Ghana a sure destination for everyone.
“We will engage all stakeholders to ensure all challenges faced are cleared. We will engage airlines, police, restaurants, and hotel owners not only on customer service but on pricing to make sure we do not make our destination globally expensive”.
He, therefore appealed to the media to try and project the positives of the event.
“Many times what you hear about this myth or the lot of all the things that people are having the fun that people are having, we don’t project that really project just issues incidents”.
Mr. Akwasi Awua Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, urged the general public to form watchdogs to help combat petty crime during and after the event.
He said crimes such as stealing people’s mobile phones, money, and bags snatching should not be entertained at this year’s Beyond The Return program since they are a disgrace to the entire country.
On her part, Prof. Esi Sutherland, Beyond The Return Steering Committee Member, charged event organizers involved in the lined-up events in December to prioritize the welfare of the tourists, our diaspora brothers and sisters.
“December in GH will help showcase Ghana’s rich cultural heritage to the rest of the world especially people in the diaspora who wants to visit their ancestral place of birth. Also, a portal dedicated to this has officially opened from today to the first week in September to receive proposals from interested event organizers across the country,” she revealed.
She seized the occasion to call on Ghanaians, and Africans both home and diaspora to participate fully in this year’s “December In GH” Festival.
