Ghanaian press spotlights commendation of Tourism Authority for laudable performance, others

APA – Accra (Ghana)
President Akufo-Addo’s commendation of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for setting a new standard of excellence by showcasing Ghana as a beacon of hope and a shining example for the world in the last six years is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Graphic reports that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for setting a new standard of excellence by showcasing Ghana as a beacon of hope and a shining example for the world in the last six years.
He said over the period, the authority ensured growth in international arrivals, increased the number of domestic travellers and growth in the number of tourism facilities and “I applaud the tremendous efforts of the dedicated staff led by its dynamic Chief Executive Officer, Akwasi Agyemang, and his partners”.
President Akufo-Addo made the commendation at the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the GTA in Accra last Wednesday.
President Akufo-Addo said over the past 50 years, the authority had played a pivotal role in promoting Ghana as a prime tourism destination with a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality which have captured the hearts of travelers from across the globe.
“It is the fusion of tradition and modernity that makes Ghana an irresistible force in the world of Tourism,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo added that the sector had witnessed transformative initiatives that had elevated the nation’s tourism industry to unprecedented heights.
“The Year of Return, a landmark campaign I launched in 2019, marked a glorious homecoming for individuals of African descent from around the world.
“It was an opportunity for us to reconnect the global African family, provide a platform for the diaspora to connect with their roots, experience the vibrant culture and bust in the warmth of our beloved nation”, he said.
The newspaper says that the acting Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Joan Mensah, has called on business leaders to join forces with the relevant stakeholders to fight malaria in the country.
She said malaria remained a major public health challenge in the country that poses serious threat to businesses and productivity.
She indicated that Ecobank had invested US$120,000 in the Zero Malaria Fund to help fight the disease in the country.
Ms. Mensah was speaking at a stakeholder roundtable meeting held on malaria and hosted by the bank at its head office in Accra on December 12, 2023.
The meeting, which was organised in partnership with Speak Up Africa and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) as part of the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI) brought together 25 business leaders across different sectors.
The purpose of the meeting was to galvanise support from business leaders against malaria in the country.
In 2020, The Ecobank Group, in partnership with the non-profit organisation Speak Up Africa and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, launched the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative, which aims to stimulate private sector engagement in the fight against malaria in Africa, and supporting the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign endorsed by the African Union in 2018.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged the government’s support for the Black Stars and its technical team to enable them succeed at the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in La Cote D’Ivoire next month.
He said it had 41 years since the country won any laurels in terms of football and both players and their technical team must do their best to break the jinx at the next tournament.
“It’s been forty-one years since Ghana won the Africa Cup of Nations. If my memory serves me right, we have played in a couple of finals in recent times and lost on penalties in 2015. Expectations are very high, so let’s do our best to make this tournament a success,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance when the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday.
The meeting was to formally introduce members of the newly elected Council to him and also seek his support, as they strive to provide equitable leadership to bring Ghana Football back to the top.
The new Executive Council was elected into office on October 5, 2023, at an elective congress in Tamale for a four- year term.
The newspaper says that the National Development Summit 2023 aimed at providing a critical platform for addressing the challenges hindering Ghana’s development agenda is underway in Accra.
Participants of the programme, organised by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) include key stakeholders from political parties, government agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and some international partners.
The Summit, among others also seeks to establish strategic recommendations that transcend political cycles, promote continuity, coherence, and effective resource allocation, and guide the nation towards sustainable, inclusive, and transformative development.
Speaking at the opening yesterday, the paramount chief of Asante Asokore, Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante emhasised the need for collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to promote development in the country.
He said “It is a call to duty to all well-meaning Ghanaians to collectively bring to fore the challenges confronting us as a nation and to unanimously profer solutions for the good of the future generations.”
Citing South Korea as an example, he stated that in the 1950s, South Korea embarked on a comprehensive development plan that provided for the expansion and strengthening of the education system.
Explaining, he said the plan emphasised universal primary education in the 1960s, secondary education in the 1980s secondary education in the 1970s and the 1980s.
South Korea, he said, ensured equity in access to school by transforming their educational system and that contributed significantly to the state of the country.
According to Nana Krobea Asante, many economists have observed that the South Korean economic take-off was substantially attributable to the availability of an educated workforce.
He also touched on similar economic successes of other nations including Malaysia, adding that political stability and focus on the agricultural sector always contributes significantly to development.
He therefore stressed the need for the government to take cues from such nations to promote massive development in Ghana.
Director General of the NDPC, Kodjo Esseim Mensah-Abrampah stated that strategic development planning promotes development and assured that as required by the constitution, his outfit remained focused on giving off its best in the delivery of its mandate.
GIK/APA