By Vivian Arthur
The arrival of the cohorts was in collaboration with
Birthright AFRICA, a non-governmental Organisation, and singer, Jidenna
Mobisson, amied to create opportunities that would transform the lives of young
people of African origin and allow them to connect with their cultural roots
and inventive legacy.
Speaking during the arrival of the cohorts in Accra on
Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, said the
initiative was targeted towards the longer-term "Beyond the Return"
vision, which includes building on the momentum of the" Year of
Return" over the next 10 years.
He said it was also to deepen the connection between Ghana,
Africa and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Mr Agyeman expressed excitement over the arrival of the
cohorts and assured them of safety, adventurous, tranquil, and lovely time
within their stay.
"The "December in Gh" programme has been
out-doored, and we look forward to the return of many cohorts during this
period," he added.
Mr Agyeman reiterated that the country had recorded 400, 000
tourist arrivals as of June, against the targeted one million for the year
2022.
He expressed optimism that the one million target would be
achieved before the activities outlined for the "December in Ghana"
began, since the peak season started in September
"Normally, the peak period is from September, so that's
why we are pushing hard to start getting the numbers so that we can make the
one million mark," Mr Agyeman said.
He mentioned that some of the activities outlined for this
year included; African Legends Night, the Bloggers Festival, Bukom Boxing
Fiesta, the Ga Mashie Jams and returning events such as the Afrochella, Afro
Nation, Akwaaba UK, Joyful Way, Westside Carnival, Kids in Tourism, GT Bank
Concert, Y Havoc, the Samba Festival, among others.
Mr Agyeman urged Ghanaians to participate in the events
planned for December to boost tourism and aid in the growth of the country.
"We urge everybody, every Ghanaian to be part of that
fever because it's an opportunity for us to engage and reengage with our
African diaspora," he stated.
The CEO and Co-founder of Birthright AFRICA, Madam Walla
Elsheikh, expressed gratitude to GTA for the collaboration, saying it would
provide a free educational experience and build an ecosystem of all partners in
the education, corporate, arts and entertainment world to be a part of the
historic movement.
"Birthright AFRICA is committed to growth of
international travel by the young African diaspora to showcase Ghana's culture
and investment potential while deepening the connection between the gateway to
Africa and the global diaspora," she added.
Vivian Arthur
As part of efforts to build on the "Beyond the
Return" initiative, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has welcomed 12
young cohorts of American Black origin to Ghana to learn more about their
African descent.
The arrival of the cohorts was in collaboration with
Birthright AFRICA, a non-governmental Organisation, and singer, Jidenna
Mobisson, amied to create opportunities that would transform the lives of young
people of African origin and allow them to connect with their cultural roots
and inventive legacy.
Speaking during the arrival of the cohorts in Accra on
Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, said the
initiative was targeted towards the longer-term "Beyond the Return"
vision, which includes building on the momentum of the" Year of
Return" over the next 10 years.
He said it was also to deepen the connection between Ghana,
Africa and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Mr Agyeman expressed excitement over the arrival of the
cohorts and assured them of safety, adventurous, tranquil, and lovely time
within their stay.
"The "December in Gh" programme has been
out-doored, and we look forward to the return of many cohorts during this
period," he added.
Mr Agyeman reiterated that the country had recorded 400, 000
tourist arrivals as of June, against the targeted one million for the year
2022.
He expressed optimism that the one million target would be
achieved before the activities outlined for the "December in Ghana"
began, since the peak season started in September
"Normally, the peak period is from September, so that's
why we are pushing hard to start getting the numbers so that we can make the
one million mark," Mr Agyeman said.
He mentioned that some of the activities outlined for this
year included; African Legends Night, the Bloggers Festival, Bukom Boxing
Fiesta, the Ga Mashie Jams and returning events such as the Afrochella, Afro
Nation, Akwaaba UK, Joyful Way, Westside Carnival, Kids in Tourism, GT Bank
Concert, Y Havoc, the Samba Festival, among others.
Mr Agyeman urged Ghanaians to participate in the events
planned for December to boost tourism and aid in the growth of the country.
"We urge everybody, every Ghanaian to be part of that
fever because it's an opportunity for us to engage and reengage with our
African diaspora," he stated.
The CEO and Co-founder of Birthright AFRICA, Madam Walla
Elsheikh, expressed gratitude to GTA for the collaboration, saying it would
provide a free educational experience and build an ecosystem of all partners in
the education, corporate, arts and entertainment world to be a part of the
historic movement.
"Birthright AFRICA is committed to growth of
international travel by the young African diaspora to showcase Ghana's culture
and investment potential while deepening the connection between the gateway to
Africa and the global diaspora," she added.
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