The tourism and creative-arts fraternity converged at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday, 14 November 2025, for a night of celebration, pride, and national renewal at this year’s National Tourism Awards (Honorary Edition).
The ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating Ghanaian Ingenuity and Excellence in Tourism: The Black Star Experience,” brought together distinguished personalities including the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie; Deputy Chief of Staff representing the Office of the Presidency, Nana Oye Bampoh; Member of Parliament for the Volta Region, James Gunu; the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadgeto; cultural icons Agya Koo Nimo and Efua Sutherland; Chairman of the event, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, CEO of RNAQ Holdings and others.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Presidency, Nana Oye Bampoh praised Ghana’s tourism sector as a powerful expression of national identity and a driver of economic transformation.
She described Ghana as “the Black Star of Africa, the Centre of the World and the Gateway to the Continent,” adding that the nation’s appeal lies not only in its natural beauty and heritage but in the warmth and creativity of its people.
“Every smile tells a story, and every handshake is a welcome,” she said, urging the industry to continue elevating the country’s global standing through innovation and storytelling.
Nana Oye highlighted some of Ghana’s most celebrated attractions, invoking vivid imagery of the Wli Waterfalls, Mount Afadzato, Mole National Park, the Larabanga Mosque, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Boabeng-Fiema Sanctuary, and the ancient Gambaga Mosque, which she described as “earthen, sacred, and symbolic.”
Nana Oye shared a personal reflection from a recent visit to the North East Region, recounting how standing before the centuries-old mosque “humbled and reminded me that in that serene space of clay and history, the soul of northern Ghana still beats strong.”
She applauded the nation’s thriving nightlife and the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, which she said is reshaping leisure, commerce, and entertainment.
“When the sun sets on this beautiful land, a different Ghana awakens,” she stated, referencing the vibrancy of Accra’s Oxford Street, Kumasi’s bustling precincts, Takoradi’s beaches, Tamale’s cultural enclaves, and Bolgatanga’s crafts markets.
She said the Black Star Experience is the culmination of Ghana’s heritage, innovation, hospitality, and creative flair.
The Deputy Chief of Staff also paid tribute to Ghanaians whose work amplifies the nation’s image on the international stage.
She commended personalities such as Anita Erskine, Rocky Dawuni, Ibrahim Mahama, Dentaa Amoateng MBE, and Wode Maya for receiving diplomatic passports in recognition of their contributions to global cultural promotion.
She further celebrated market women, food vendors, chefs, farmers, and artisans for sustaining Ghana’s food identity and transforming local cuisine into a global attraction. “They turn harvest into heritage, spice into story, and flavour into national pride,” she said.
GTA CEO Maame Efua Houadgeto, in her address, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to repositioning Ghana’s tourism sector in alignment with President John Dramani Mahama’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda.
She said the GTA is driving a new era of innovation, sustainability, and service excellence. “We are not just rebuilding tourism, we are redefining it,” she said.
She highlighted the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS) as a key digital innovation that is improving transparency, operations, and compliance across the sector.
Through this platform, she stated, businesses can apply for licences online, pay levies seamlessly, and manage guest data more efficiently. She also announced that the Experience Ghana App; a one-stop digital platform for browsing, booking, and paying for tourism products will soon be launched, along with “Virtual Ghana,” an immersive virtual-reality showcase of the country’s destinations.
Mrs. Houadgeto emphasised capacity building as a core priority, announcing that GTA is partnering with Rutgers University in the United States to train professionals across hotels, restaurants, event management, and tour operations.
She charged all regional directors of GTA to enforce quality standards rigorously. “Our success as a destination depends on the excellence of every experience we offer,” she said.
Responding to concerns about hotel pricing, the CEO explained that high operational costs, particularly from energy consumption, have impacted accommodation rates.
To address this, she said the Authority is securing support to help facilities adopt solar power and eco-friendly systems, which will reduce costs while promoting sustainable tourism. “Every eco-lodge and every solar panel is an investment in future generations,” she said.
She also announced renewed investment in sports tourism ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, revealing a collaboration between the GTA, the US Embassy, the Canadian and Mexican High Commissions, the UAE and Saudi embassies, and other diplomatic partners.
The partnership will facilitate official World Cup watch parties in all 16 regions, showcasing Ghanaian hospitality and culture to global audiences.
In the creative-arts sector, Mrs. Houadgeto highlighted a partnership with Columbus Artway Inc. to expand opportunities for Ghanaian creatives in film, art, and cultural entrepreneurship.
She further revealed that GTA will soon open offices in three US states to deepen tourism promotion, diaspora engagement, and investment mobilisation.
The CEO described the Mansa Musa Project as one of Ghana’s most ambitious cultural initiatives yet, a platform for global showcasing of Ghana’s arts, fashion, creativity, and heritage.
“The Mansa Musa Project is not just a programme; it is a movement. When we tell our story boldly, the world listens. When we lead with culture, the world follows,” she said.
Legends Awards (Tourism Minister’s Legends Awards):
This year’s ceremony also paid homage to some of Ghana’s most iconic cultural figures whose lifelong contributions continue to shape the arts, media, literature, and national identity.
The Tourism Minister’s Legends Awards were conferred on luminaries including:
– Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy (Performing Arts & Theatre)
– Kwaw Ansah (Performing Arts & Theatre)
– Grace Omaboe (Performing Arts & Theatre)
– Amakye Dede (Music)
– Gyedu-Blay Ambolley (Music)
– A Gospel Music Legend (Music Category)
– A distinguished Visual Artist & Sculptor (Visual Arts)
– Prof. Lade Wosornu (Literature)
– James Barnor (Photography & Media Arts)
– Chris Hesse (Photography & Media Arts)
– Chief Moomen (Performing Arts & Theatre)
In addition, the Tourism Creative Luminary Award was bestowed on Agya Koo Nimo for his profound contribution to Ghanaian traditional music and cultural storytelling.
Additional Awards:
The ceremony further honoured institutions and individuals driving excellence across tourism investment, accommodation, culinary arts, eco-tourism, travel trade, traditional leadership, technology, media, and transportation.
Awardees honoured in this category included Devtraco Plus (The Pelican Hotel), Samuel Winful (Crown Forest), Safari Valley Resort, Justice Amoh (Grove Essipong), Albin Akansake (Marlin Resort), and several regional hospitality developers.
Eco-tourism honours were presented to Lakeside Marina Park, while industry recognition went to tourism innovators such as Dr. Benjamin Appiah Osei and Prof. Kobby Mensah.
Traditional rulers including King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and Pe Dennis Aneakwoa Balinia Adda were recognised for promoting tourism in their regions.
The tourism media awards were presented to The Mirror, UTV, TV3, GBC Real Time, William De Bordes, Oswald Okai Teye, and Dr Nii Ayi Solomon. Aviation and transport recognition went to Africa World Airlines (AWA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Notable site-development awards went to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the African Ancestral Wall.
The event graced with performers from Perez Musik, Ghana Dance Ensemble ,Adina Thembi, Bisa Kdei, Nacee among others.
The ceremony reaffirmed the Black Star Experience as a living expression of Ghana’s heritage, creativity, and innovation.
