The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) received the Outstanding Tourism Event in Africa award for its groundbreaking “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” initiatives at the 25th-anniversary celebration of the GOGE Africa Festival in Nigeria.
The award was presented on October 27, 2024, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan Stadium) in Lagos. Representing GTA CEO Mr. Akwasi Agyeman were Mr. Moses Ndewin Ndebugri, Director of the Upper West Region, and Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, Deputy Director of Domestic Marketing.
This prestigious honor recognizes the transformative impact of Ghana’s “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” programs, which have played a pivotal role in celebrating African heritage, uniting the African diaspora, and positioning Ghana as a premier cultural tourism destination.
These initiatives have contributed significantly to promoting pan-African unity and strengthening cultural ties worldwide.
The GOGE Africa Festival, with this year’s theme “Symphony of Cultures,” drew over 20,000 attendees from 32 countries, celebrating African heritage through vibrant exhibitions, parades, music, dance, and culinary competitions. The festival’s focal point, “Our Shared Heritage,” highlighted the common history and cultural unity among African nations.
During the event, Mr. Kusi underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria as Africa’s largest tourism market and emphasized GTA’s proactive marketing efforts to promote Ghana’s diverse tourism offerings. He also extended his gratitude to GTA leadership and all stakeholders for their commitment to advancing Ghana’s tourism agenda.
The founders of GOGE Africa, Mr. Isaac Moses and Mrs. Nneka Moses, praised Ghana’s efforts in promoting Africa as a leading tourism destination, particularly through the “Beyond the Return” initiative.
Launched in 2019, the “Year of Return” attracted over 1.18 million visitors from the African diaspora and beyond. The ongoing “Beyond the Return” program, led by GTA, continues to build on this success by focusing on seven strategic pillars to unlock Ghana’s full tourism potential, foster lasting global bonds, and create innovative economic and cultural partnerships.