The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the “Beyond the Return” (BTR) Secretariat yesterday unveiled the ‘December in GH’ festivities.
The event to be celebrated within the months of Novemeber 2023 and first week of January 2024, is put together yearly to promote Ghana as a December holiday season destination.
Participants are expected to be treated to Ghana’s rich arts and cultural heritage.
Speaking to the media at the launch, Mr Kwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, said the events would be hosted in multiple regions across the country ranging from traditional festivals to concerts, fashion shows, sporting events, and community projects.
He said each occasion included elements that connected with the foundational pillars of the “Beyond the Return” initiative – Experience Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana, Brand Ghana, and Give Back Ghana, Invest in Ghana and Promote Pan African Heritage and Innovation.
For him to build on the success, the GTA would host series of review sessions with key partners, event organisers and stakeholders to debrief and identify areas of growth for subsequent editions.
“This will contribute to an increase in international arrivals, and tourist expenditure, consequently stimulating the local economy whilst bridging the gap between the African continent and Africans in the diaspora,” he stated.
Mr Akwasi Awah Ababio, Director Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President said “we’ve seen more of the diaspora engaging with Ghana through events, business investments and giving back to the community. And with the global spotlight of events like the Global Citizen Festival last year, and the recent visit of the U.S. Vice President, it has cast an even bigger spotlight on Ghana.”
‘Beyond the Return’ is a ten-year initiative with the theme; ‘A Decade of African Renaissance,’ and a foundation of seven pillars. Each pillar is significant in the mission of continued engagement with the African diaspora, continental Africans and Ghanaians.
Since 2019, ‘December in GH’ has been a strong driver of tourism during the busy December season for travels to Ghana.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
