Afrigather Tourism affords a robust historic expertise that may join Nigerian and Ghanaian vacationers visiting one another’s international locations to, amongst others, the broader West African narrative of colonisation and exploitation and in the end strengthen people-to-people relations between each international locations, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA)’s deputy Chief Government Officer, Ben Anane Nsiah tells MARTIN-LUTHER C. KING on this interview in Accra. Given the cultural similarities between each international locations in addition to their shared love for music, meals, and the humanities, he says this 12 months’s December in GH ceremonies, a treasure trove of over 70 enjoyable actions scheduled to happen in Ghana late-November to mid-January subsequent 12 months, presents a golden alternative for Nigerian vacationers to share within the distinctive celebrations this December. Excerpts:
Kindly inform us how Ghana investing in its tourism infrastructure to higher serve worldwide guests?
Ghana is taking daring steps to raise its tourism infrastructure, making it an much more attractive vacation spot for worldwide guests, together with these from Nigeria. The nation’s key areas of focus are certain to captivate vacationers. From internationally acknowledged resort chains to charming boutique lodgings that embrace native tradition, Ghana is witnessing a surge within the building and enhancement of numerous lodging choices to swimsuit varied budgets. Efforts to reinforce highway networks and public transport programs are underway, promising smoother journey experiences inside the nation. Notably, upgrades to the Kotoka Worldwide Airport are set to accommodate extra worldwide flights and supply an improved passenger expertise. Ghana is investing within the preservation and promotion of its wealthy cultural heritage, significantly historic websites just like the Cape Coast and Elmina castles. These websites are being developed to entice historical past and tradition fanatics.
Initiatives just like the Yr of Return have notably piqued curiosity from the diaspora and regional vacationers. The federal government and personal sector are devoted to investing in coaching applications for tourism professionals, aiming to raise service high quality and guarantee guests really feel genuinely welcomed and valued. Collaborations between the federal government and personal sector are driving funding in tourism-related initiatives, bolstering infrastructure, and selling sustainable tourism practices. Leveraging expertise, Ghana is about to rework the vacationer expertise by way of superior on-line platforms for bookings, info sharing, and promotional actions. With these initiatives, Ghana is not only bettering its tourism panorama but in addition extending a compelling invitation to vacationers to discover its vibrant tradition, Ghana affords a number of thrilling occasions and festivals within the coming months which might be prone to entice Nigerian vacationers, given the cultural similarities and shared love for music, meals, and the humanities.
Are there upcoming occasions or festivals in Ghana that you simply assume might be enticing to Nigerian vacationers?
Nigerian vacationers will seemingly be drawn to Ghana’s upcoming spectacular occasions and festivals tagged December in GH. This lineup of greater than 70 actions honors Ghana’s vacation season with live shows, events, and cultural displays. The December in GH calendar options nightclub occasions, music festivals, and cultural exhibitions that draw folks from everywhere in the world, significantly Nigeria. It’s a common time for Nigerians to go to due to necessary occasions like Afrofuture (previously generally known as Afrochella) and avenue events.
What particular historic sights in Ghana do you consider can resonate most with Nigerian guests?
A number of historic sights in Ghana would seemingly resonate with Nigerian guests attributable to their shared cultural heritage and historical past. These replicate deep African historical past, colonialism, and the wrestle for independence, experiences that are additionally important in Nigerian historical past. As an illustration, there may be the Cape Coast Citadel a UNESCO World Heritage website which was one of many main departure factors for enslaved Africans throughout the transatlantic slave commerce. Nigerian vacationers, like many from throughout Africa, could discover the historic significance of the fort emotionally transferring, because it represents a shared previous of enslavement and resilience. One other main slave-trading publish, Elmina Citadel was constructed by the Portuguese in 1482 and is the oldest European constructing in sub-Saharan Africa. It affords a robust historic expertise, connecting Nigerian guests to the broader West African narrative of colonization and exploitation. There may be additionally the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park: Devoted to Ghana’s first president and outstanding Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah, this park celebrates African unity and independence. Nkrumah’s imaginative and prescient for a united Africa strongly influenced many independence actions throughout Africa, making it a significant go to for Nigerian vacationers. And, the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, devoted to African-American scholar and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois who spent his final years in Ghana. It highlights the worldwide African diaspora’s position within the struggle for independence and will resonate with Nigerians fascinated with Pan-African historical past. These websites assist Nigerian guests join with the shared historical past of West Africa, from colonialism to the struggle for freedom, fostering a deep sense of cultural identification.
Are you able to spotlight different distinctive locations in Ghana that might be significantly interesting to Nigerian vacationer?
Fairly a quantity, from nature to tradition, that would attraction to Nigerian vacationers, together with the Paga Crocodile Pond, situated in northern Ghana. This sacred pond is dwelling to pleasant crocodiles that vacationers can safely work together with, underneath the steering of locals. It’s a novel wildlife expertise that may intrigue guests fascinated with native myths and fauna. The Kakum Nationwide Park, within the Central Area of Ghana, is thought for its dense rainforest and the well-known Cover Walkway. Kakum affords an exciting expertise for nature lovers. The walkway is suspended excessive above the forest ground, offering gorgeous views of the wildlife and forest cover. It’s excellent for adventurous vacationers, households, or teams searching for an eco-tourism expertise. Lake Bosomtwe, within the Ashanti area, is Ghana’s solely pure lake, fashioned by a meteor affect. It’s surrounded by villages and affords peaceable water actions similar to canoeing and fishing. The lake affords a great spot for leisure, fishing, or cultural exchanges with the locals. Additionally, there may be the Nzulezo Stilt Village, a novel village constructed totally on stilts over Lake Tadane within the Western Area. Guests can tour the village by canoe and be taught concerning the neighborhood’s historical past and lifestyle. The village’s fascinating construction and way of life provide a memorable cultural expertise and a glimpse into Ghana’s numerous neighborhood. These locations present a mixture of journey, nature, and cultural immersion, making Ghana a beautiful selection for Nigerian vacationers in search of one thing totally different.
What makes the festive environment in Ghana throughout December distinctive in comparison with different vacation spot?
Ghana in December is a treasure trove of fun-filled celebrations and occasions. From Christmas festivities to conventional festivals, there’s by no means a uninteresting second. This makes December a wonderful time for immersing oneself within the native tradition and experiencing the heat and hospitality of the Ghanaian folks. Probably the most common occasions throughout this time are, December in Ghana with over 100 and sixty occasions, itemizing Afrochella (now Afrofuture), Pageant of Performs on the Nationwide Theatre, GUBA (Develop, Unite, Construct Africa) Convention, AfroNations and so on.
Kindly present an summary of the December in GH 2024 celebrations and what it goals to attain?
The December in GH 2024 celebrations are set to be a vibrant, culturally wealthy occasion collection that may happen throughout Ghana from late November to early January. This initiative, led by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has been developed as a part of the Past the Return marketing campaign, a follow-up to the profitable Yr of Return program that began in 2019. The celebrations will function greater than 70 official occasions, from cultural shows and music festivals to culinary occasions, neighborhood service initiatives, nightlife, and style showcases. These occasions, unfold throughout varied areas in Ghana, are designed to offer locals and worldwide guests a novel style of Ghanaian tradition and heritage. Highlights embrace music live shows, style exhibits, artwork exhibitions, scenic excursions, and journey actions. The initiative goals to spice up tourism and spotlight Ghana as a premier vacation spot throughout the festive season, capitalizing on its wealthy historical past, arts and leisure scene. The celebrations additionally provide important financial advantages, significantly within the hospitality business, the place motels expertise almost full occupancy throughout this era. It goals to reinforce Ghana’s world attraction, welcoming guests from the African diaspora and past. Total, December in GH serves not solely as a festive celebration but in addition as a key driver of cultural alternate and financial development, contributing to Ghana’s long-term objective of changing into a number one tourism hub in Africa
How can this 12 months December in GH facilitate cultural alternate between Nigeria and Ghana?
December in GH can foster cultural alternate between Nigeria and Ghana by offering a platform the place folks from each international locations can come collectively to share and have fun their cultures. Nigeria and Ghana share related musical genres like Afrobeats, which might be celebrated by way of live shows and festivals. Nigerian artists steadily carry out at Ghanaian occasions and vice versa, selling cross-cultural appreciation.
With occasions specializing in native delicacies and style, Nigerians and Ghanaians can expertise one another’s culinary and style traditions, serving to to bridge cultural understanding. Additionally, by showcasing artwork and cultural heritage from each nations, December in GH can spotlight the historic and creative ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
