Destination Ghana Global Project (DGGP), a private-public collaboration that primarily seeks to promote Ghanaian businesses, tourism and local cultural festivals across the globe, has been launched in Cape Coast in the Central Region.

The launch at the Cape Coast Castle recently, was used to announce two major events: This Is Africa Festival and the Tourism Business Summit, both of which will happen in Cape Coast every December, starting from this year.

The Paramount Chief of the Cape Coast Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, was the Chairman at the launch programme. He stated that the two events would further help position Cape Coast as an important tourism, cultural and commercial hub.

The Special Guest of Honour for the launch, French Ambassador, Jules Armand Aniambossou pledged his Mission’s support for DGGP and stated French President Emmanuel Macron’s abundant interest in issues that affect Africa. 

“Mr. Macron has a good heart for the continent”, Ambassador Aniambossou said. He described France as “a true friend of the African continent” and that France was ready to demonstrate that.

Ambassador Aniambossou later met with key stakeholders and local government officials at the office of the Mayor of Cape Coast, to discuss areas of partnership in commerce and tourism development.

On the proposed partnership with the French, Osabraimba Kwesi Atta II, gave an assurance that Cape Coast stood ready to lead the teaching and learning of French in Ghana as well as to welcome French businesses for foreign direct investments.

Ghana Tourism Authority’s Destination Ghana campaign, launched by the Government of Ghana in April 2022 in the United Kingdom, was the motivating factor for the advent of DGGP.

According to the DGGP Secretariat, the project has identified useful business summits, tourism conferences, concerts and cultural festivals across the globe that it is collaborating with to market its agenda from May 25, 2023 to November 30, 2023.

In a video message delivered by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malta, Barbara Akuorkor Benisa, she pledged her Mission’s support for the project.

“As you target to attract over 100,000 visitors to Ghana annually with this project, I am assuring you that I will personally help push the agenda here in Malta. With the help of the Culture and Tourism Ministers here in Malta, I will lead a strong delegation to Ghana to participate in this year’s This Is Africa Festival and the Tourism Summit come December.”

Nana Obokese Ampah, a Director and Cultural Lead for the DGGP, indicated that the broader aim of the project is to market Ghana as a vital home of culture, warmth and rhythm.

Cape Coast Mayor, Ernest Arthur and the Central Regional Minister, Marigold Assan pledged the readiness of their offices to ensure the two events make the biggest impact in tourism and investment in the Central Region. 

In his address, the Executive Director of the PANAFEST Foundation, Rabbi Kohain Halevi, who is leading the pitch sessions to market DGGP said Cape Coast deserved to be the forerunner in tourism in Ghana.

“We will be looking for the right partnerships to position this great city as the flagship tourist destination in Africa,” he added.

Events producer, Verus Nartey who has handled successful concerts in Ghana and other parts of the world, said the This Is Africa Festival would once again offer Cape Coast a wonderful opportunity to extend a welcoming hand to Africans from across the globe.

Musicians Bessa Simons, Jupitar, Kofi Kinaata, Lamisi, Asodzi Cultural Troupe and the Flat 5 Band performed at the launch. They were later unveiled as the Music Ambassadors for the project, as they will lead the promotion as well as provide entertainment at DGGP events.     

The Destination Ghana Global Project is being organised by the DGGP Secretariat, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, Showbiz Africa, Obokese Foundation, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Ghana Museums & Monuments Board, RAM Media Concept and SM Group Ltd.