ABOUT SUMMIT
Tourism is not just about travel and leisure; it’s a vital part of many economies around the world, providing jobs and income for millions of people. Tourism is also about people and cultures. It’s about connecting with others and learning about different ways of life.
The tourism industry is multi-faceted with a significant impact on the economy, culture, and communities.
Tourism has been identified as a major pillar of Ghana’s socio-economic transformation. The sector’s capacity to promote jobs, generate foreign exchange, stimulate rapid infrastructural development and enhance overall social cohesion is widely accepted.
Over the last 5 years (2017-2022) Ghana’s tourism has experienced a steady growth reaching a pre-pandemic high of 1,130.307 international arrivals in 2019. The rebound from the COVID-19 induced slump has been equally impressive and rapid. From 355,108 international arrivals in 2020, a total of 623,523 in 2021, and 914,892 visitors were recorded in 2022.
It is anticipated that 2023 will record a 30% growth with sustained average visitor spend.
The Rethinking Tourism Summit, under the distinguished patronage of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will be an event that aims to bring together tourism stakeholders to explore new approaches to tourism that prioritizes National Development, job creation and sustainable tourism. It will be a two-day Summit and will bring together all major actors in the Tourism, Arts and Culture space.
WHAT TO EXPECT
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30th – 31st May 2023 at Peduase Lodge, Peduase
MC – Kafui Dey
DAY 1: 30TH MAY 2023
- Cocoa Networking sessions – MC – KAFUI DEY
- Arrival of President and entourage
- Welcome and Introduction to Conference objectivesMr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO – Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)
- Performance- National Theatre
- Solidarity Messages:
- Ghana Tourism Federation- Dr. Kwesi Eyison, Vice President
- World Bank- Mr. Pierre Laporte, Country Director
- Interlude
- Address by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture – Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
- Interlude
- Keynote AddressH.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana
- Group Photograph
- Special Guest Presentation
- Using Tourism To Jumpstart The EconomyHon. Dr. John Apontuah Kumah (MP)- Deputy Minister of Finance
Session 1: Using Tourism To Jumpstart The Economy
Moderator: Mr. Benard Avle
Panelists:
Dr. Emmanuel Adu Sarkodie – CEO, Accra City Hotel/ Penninsular Resort
Vidette Adjorlolo – Chief Builder/Founder, Sorted Chale
Mr. Maxwell Edusei – CEO, African Loom
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman – CEO, GTA
Mrs. Alisa Osei – Asamoah – President, Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA)
Open Forum (Q&As / Interactions)
Session 2: Easing the Business Environment for Tourism Growth
Moderator: Mr. George Quaye
Panelists: Professor Kobby Mensah – University of Ghana Business School
Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah – Dep. CEO, General Services, GTA
Dr. Edward Ackah Nyamike – President, Ghana Hotels Association
Mr. Ashong Lartey – Director, Investment Services Division, GIPC
Open Forum (Q&As / Interactions)
1:00pm LUNCH BREAK
Session 3: Tech and Data Driven Growth in Tourism
Moderator: Mr. Benard Avle
Panelists: Mr. Bossman Akuffo Kwapong – Country Director, MasterCard Ghana.
Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi – Comptroller General, Ghana Immigration Service
Mr. Ekow Sampson – Deputy CEO, Operations, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)
Mr. Bright Ladzekpo – PHD Consult
Open Forum (Q&As / interactions)
3:00pm – Day Summary – Mr. Seth Adjei Baah – Board Chairman, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)
MC – KAFUI DEY
08:30am: Opening Exhibitions
09:00am: Welcome and Introduction of Day 2 – Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority
Special Guest Presentation – “Building Synergy; Tourism, Arts & Culture” – Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture
Keynote Address
Harnessing Cultural Assets For Inclusive Tourism Growth – Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff
Session 4: Building Synergy: Tourism Arts & Culture
Moderator: Mrs. Eunice Tornyi
Panelists: Ken Agyapong Jnr. – Co-Founder, Afrochella/Afrofutre
Mr. Emmanuel Andrew Samini – Artiste/Musician
Okyeame Kwame – Artiste/Musician
Nana Owoahene Akyeampong – President of Visual Arts
Dr. Afua Asabea Asare – CEO, Ghana Export Promotion Authority
Open Forum (Q&As / interactions)
10:30am: COCOA BREAK
Session 5: Role of Creative Sector in Economic Growth
Moderator: Mr. George Quaye
Panelists: Theresa Ayoade – CEO, Charter House Productions
Mrs. Claudia Lumor – Founder, Glitz Africa. (Magazine, Awards & Fashion Week)
Mr. Ernest Boateng – CEO, Global Media Alliance
Mr. Carl Ampah – National Programme Officer, Culture. UNESCO
Open Forum (Q&As / interactions)
Session 6: Diaspora Dividend for Economic Growth
Moderator: Ms. Aisha Addo
Panelists: Mr. Diallo Sumbry – President & CEO, Adinkra Group
Ms. Annabelle McKenzie – Manager, Beyond the Return Secretariat
Mrs Akosua Dentaa Amoateng MBE, – Founder, GUBA
Mr. Rabbi Kohain Halevi – Head, Diaspora Coalition.
Open Forum (Q&As / interactions)
Closing Rapporteur: Summary of Conference Outcomes and Action plan
Nana K. Gyan-Appenteng
Closing Remarks: Hon Dr. Ibrahim Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Closing Ceremony – National Theatre
- Encourage critical thinking about the future of tourism and its impact on national development
- Create a platform that explores new approaches to tourism that prioritizes sustainability and community involvement.
- Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism industry.
- Synergize the tourism, arts and cultural assets of the country through dialogue
- Create an action plan for implementing sustainable tourism practices and of doing business in the hospitality sector
- Accelerating Tourism development through innovation and digitalization
- Ascertain needs of industry players and what government could do to assist to ease the Tourism and Hospitality business environment.
- Bring to fore the role of the Creative Arts in Tourism Development.
- Harnessing diaspora dividend for development.
Over 400 participants from the Industry are expected to attend the Stakeholders Engagements for the 2 days and with over 1500 online delegates.
The Summit is designed for tourism stakeholders, including:
- Tourism operators and businesses under GHATOF
- Government officials and policymakers
- NGOs and civil society organizations
- Academics and researchers
- Community leaders and residents
- Media
A total target of participants will be 400.
The Summit is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Increased awareness and understanding of the need for a new approach to Tourism in Ghana.
- Development of new ideas and strategies for sustainable and equitable tourism.
- Increased collaboration and networking among stakeholders in the tourism industry.
- Creation of an action plan for implementing sustainable tourism practices.
H.E. Nana Akufo Addo
President of the Republic of Ghana
Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare
Chief of Staff
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture
Hon. Mark Okraku Mante
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture
Hon. John Apontuah Kumah (MP)
Dep. Minister For Finance
Mr. Seth Adjei Baah
Board Chairman, GTA
Akwasi Agyeman
CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority
Dr. Kwesi Eyison
Vice President, GHATOF
Mr. Pierre Laporte
Country Director, World Bank
Mr. Maxwell Edusei
CEO, African Loom
Vidette Adjorlolo
Founder, Sorted Chale
Dr. Emmanuel Adu Sarkodie
CEO, Accra City Hotel/ Penninsular Resort
Alisa Osei Asamoah
President, TOUGHA
Professor Kobby Mensah
University of Ghana
Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah
Dep. CEO, Gen. Services, GTA
Dr. Edward Ackah Nyamike
President, Ghana Hotels Association
Mr. Ashong Lartey
Director, Investment Services Division, GIPC
Mr. Bright Ladzekpo
CEO, PHD Ghana
Mr. Bossman Akuffo Kwapong
Country Direcor, MasterCard Ghana
Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi
Comptroller General, GIS
Mr. Ekow Sampson
Dep. CEO, Operations, GTA
Ken Agyeapong
Co-Founder, Afrochella/Afrofutre
Mr. Emmanuel Andrew Samini
Artiste/Musician
Okyeame Kwame
Artiste/Musician
Mrs. Eunice Tornyi
Nana Owoahene Akyeampong
President of Visual Arts
Bernard Avle
GM, Citi FM/TV
Mr. Ernest Boateng
CEO, Global Media Alliance
George Quaye
Media Consultant
KAFUI DEY
Presenter, GTV
Theresah Ayewode
CEO, Charter House Productions
Mr. Carl Ampah
National Programme Officer, Culture. UNESCO
Mrs Claudia Lumor
Founder, Glitz Africa
Mrs Akosua Dentaa Amoateng MBE
Founder, GUBA
Mr. Diallo Sumbry
President & CEO, Adinkra Group
Ms. Annabelle McKenzie
Manager, Beyond the Return Secretariat
Mr. Rabbi Kohain Halevi
Executive Director of PANAFEST Foundation / Chairman of the Pan African Diaspora Coalition of Ghana
Gyan Appenteng
Media Consultant
AISHA ADDO
Founder, Power To Girls
PARTNERS
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CONTACT: tourismsummit@ghana.travel | Whatsapp: +233-0546-621-411
NEWS & INSIGHTS
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