GHATOF honours tourism stalwarts
It was a night of merry-making spiced with beautiful renditions of Ghanaian music at the Banquet Hall of the State House as several personalities and institutions were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the growth of tourism at the maiden edition of the Tourism Hall of Fame awards event.
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The personalities included three former Heads of State: Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings and Mr John Agyekum Kufuor.
Organised by the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), the awards were in the Bust, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories with the former Heads of State picking awards in the Bust category.
Royal Mac Dick Hotel, Sunseekers Tours and Azmera Restaurant were decorated with the Gold awards.
The Mole National Park and South Ridge Hotel received Silver awards while Japan International Corporation Authority got a Bronze award for their various contributions to the growth of tourism in this country.
Appreciation awards, Special Recognition Lifetime Achievement awards, were given to some chiefs, individuals and institutions who have contributed to the Ghana Tourism Industry in different capacities.
The Sanaahene of Akyem Ati-Amanfrom and President of GHATOF, Baffour Nana Anim I, was also awarded with an Exemplary Leadership Recognition special award.
The Executive Director of Trafix Catering Services, Mrs Bella Ahu, was also inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame for her wonderful contribution, especially on the culinary front.
In an address read on her behalf, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the government was working hard to improve the tourism sector, especially access roads to sites.
She also said her ministry was pursuing the redevelopment of the Efua Sunderland Children’s Park into a world-class recreational centre.
Speaking on the theme for the event: ” Tourism, Our Heritage for National Development”, the Chief of Agormeda, Nene Nagai Kassa VII, said Ghanaians must learn to appreciate people while they are alive.
He appealed to stakeholders in tourism to give appropriate attention to private participation in the sector.