The 2024 Akwaaba festival has been launched under the auspices of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Tourism Authority, National Commission on Culture, National Theatre Executive Board.
The unveiling ceremony which came off last Friday, January 26,2024 at the National Theatre amidst celebration with calls to maximize the tourism potentials in Ghana’s art industry.
In an open address and presentation by the Project Director, Joe Osae, passionately addresses the importance of domestic tourism. He calls on all Ghanaians to support local tourism efforts and unlock its vast potential as a significant driver of development.
“Let us all play a part in realizing this vision for the progress of our nation”.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, the Deputy Director at the Corporate Affairs, Ghana Tourism Authority, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman admonished that only a united front and voice could assist in the promotion of Ghana’s tourism, arts and culture potentials both domestically and internationally.
This, he said can be made possible by the Akwaaba Festival.
Assuring the gathering of his outfit’s unwavering commitment to upscale domestic tourism, he pledged a continuous support in development leveraging on its plethora of networks, collaboration, and partnership of the Akwaaba Festival.
Reiterating his GTA support, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi assured the general public of a resolve to retain Ghana on the competitive international tourism map as the preferred tourism destination in West Africa.
“Let’s all continue to support the worthy cause as the 3-day festival aims at showcasing Ghana’s rich, diverse historical and traditional heritage”,he implored.
The 2024 edition is on the theme “Telling the Rich History and Traditions of the Ghanaian Culture and Hospitality”. This is scheduled for the 6th-8th of March, 2024 at the National Theatre.
The youth being the channels of transient, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi hoped that the festival will drive the necessary interest among the youth towards the attainment of developmental goals.
He however underscored the significance of the 3-day festival which will include exhibition and sales of Ghanaian arts and crafts, traditional textiles and accessories, local beverages, food bazaar, Akwaaba night , Akwaaba Awards, Miss Akwaaba, Music concert with MUSIGA amongst others will impact the promotion and marketing of the country treasures.
He said, “It is therefore imperative to drive the agenda of developing and promoting domestic tourism by way of forging the needed partnership through collaborative efforts with government agencies and other related organizations.
This is evident in Domestic and Regional Tourism Authority through a unique model called, “Experience Ghana,Share Ghana”. The Deputy Director further disclosed that a total of 937,087 was recorded for domestic tourism in 2022 while 2023 recorded a million.
A veteran actor, David Dontor called on Ghana Education Service to help preserve the country’s culture by incorporating into the curriculum.
This, he said will help bequeath the country unique culture to future generations. Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, President of Pan African-Ghana urged the media to assist in achieving set goals of the initiative.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Padiki Art Gallery, Madam Sharon Dede Padi urged Ghanaians to take advantage of everything that makes the Ghanaian.
According to her, everything about the Ghanaian represent art and should be leveraged upon to promote tourism in and outside Ghana.
