Countdown to tourism, culture showcase

Barely a fortnight to go, the marriage of Nigeria and Ghana in a cultural and tourism show is already drawing attention of global travel industry, African Diaspora and tourism stakeholders from both countries to take advantage of the great potential across the two English-speaking West African countries that would be offered on a new pedestal.

Now in its second edition, Ghana-Nigeria Tourism and Culture Showcase is unarguably the first privately-organised bilateral arts, tourism and culture forum in the West African sub-region, and the biggest Private Public Partnership (PPP) collaboration for arts, tourism and culture in the sub-region. It is geared towards promoting Africa’s tourism potential as well as the restoration and sustenance of the people’s cultural heritage.

The 2013 edition of the showcase awaits guests; it has also continued to receive big boost ahead of the event scheduled between April 18 and 19, 2013 at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.

Oluseyi Onafowokan, the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, who is also the chief host of the event, is lending full support of the Nigerian government to the show.

Confirming his willingness to play host to the event on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Onafowokan told a delegation of Tribe Media Company, Nigeria and Pan Africa Ghana, co-organisers of the event, which paid him a courtesy visit at the Nigerian High Commission, that the government was especially committed to the promotion of Nigeria’s diplomatic cultural policy at such a crucial time the nation is marking her centenary.

The High Commissioner further assured the team led by Bayero Agabi, president, Tribe Media, and Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, president, Pan Africa Ghana, that the Nigerian House in Ghana would gladly host a cocktail in honour of the Nigerian contingent to the event, adding that the bilateral tourism and culture initiative was one that should be sustained given that both countries share so much in common.

As well, Henry Seidu Daana, Minister of Culture and Traditional Affairs, Ghana, and Elizabeth Ofosu-Aggyare, Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Ghana, both expressed the support of the government and people of Ghana for the tourism and culture showcase that is expected to emphasise on the potentials of the sector and cultural integration between the two countries.

Speaking during a courtesy call to his office by the organisers, Daana pointed out that the close socio-political and historical tie between both countries was a good basis to annex the cultural values of the two nations for socio-economic development and bilateral growth.

Responding, Agabi told the minister that the organising team was driven by the need to promote understanding, foster sub-regional integration and economic development using tourism, arts and culture as a tool. Bayero, a seasoned media strategist, added that with Africa fast becoming an emerging global market across different spectrum, it was pertinent that westernisation is not allowed to sweep away the people’s ethics, norms and ideas which are often expressed via language, fashion, food, music and religious belief around which the conference is centered.

Ofosu-Aggyare commended the collaborative efforts of the organisers towards the promotion and sustenance of African values through culture and tourism with such a laudable bilateral forum such as the Ghana-Nigeria Tourism and Culture Showcase. The recently appointed minister then assured of her ministry’s full support during the event.

On his part, Appiah-Levi briefed the minister that the two-day event would feature a conference with stimulating intellectual discussions, presentation of papers, interaction and exhibition of arts, craft, fashion while the gala/award night would, aside from other varieties, entail a musical concert featuring top Ghanaian and Nigerian artiste with the theme ‘One Band, One Stage, One Tribe’.

The team had earlier on been received at the Ghana Tourism Authority by the management of the agency led by Abigail Tagoe, acting executive director, who recalled that the 2011 edition was quite a memorable one. She promised that her organisation would accord the event all necessary logistic support.

Article accredited to; Businessday