GHATOF launches Marhaba Festival
The three-day festival on the theme: “Building Bonds; A Stimulus for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Development”, is an initiative to
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“rightly” welcome people of African descent back to Ghana and will take place from July 18-20 at different locations.
It was a two-in-one affair as the occasion was also used to unveil the 25th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Tourism Federation.
The launch was attended by stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry, including members of GHATOF, the Coordinator of Year of Return and CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, a representative from the Tourism Ministry, Mr Gabriel Tandoh and many others.
In a statement read on her behalf, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi, described the Marhaba Festival as a laudable initiative to promote domestic tourism and boost the development of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises.
“The private sector is the engine of growth and the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism gives prominence for the government to create a conducive environment for the private sector’s investment in accommodation, travel, catering, transport and other tourism-related services,” she said.
CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Akwasi Agyeman praised GHATOF for Marhaba, saying it would be a good reason to look forward to the Year of Return in subsequent years after the first edition.
“We have always wondered how was sustain Year of Return and we are happy that Marhaba is in to give our brothers and sisters from the diaspora something worth coming home to yearly. It will give us hope for what will happen after Year of Return,” he added.
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He gave an assurance that Marhaba, which means ‘Welcome’ in the Dagomba language, had the support of the authority and urged more support from relevant stakeholders.
The President of GHATOF, Madam Bella Ahu, said the federation was instrumental in the setting up of the Tourism Fund and a major contributor through its numerous associations.
She expressed her appreciation to the Marhaba Committee for working hard to bring to fruition their expectations to reality. “We need the support of all to make this event a success,” she added.
Activities for the event include a fraternity welcome event at Prampram Beach, opening ceremony comprising a durbar of chiefs and Roots Reggae homecoming at the Trade Fair, and a Business to Business Investment Summit at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.