In a heartfelt moment of honour and recognition, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), was honoured last night, Saturday, 25th October, 2025 at the W. E. B Dubois Centre for Pan African Culture in Cantonments, for his exceptional contributions and support to the International edition of the Accra Arts and Crafts Market that took place from 17th – 26th October, 2025. The honour was conferred by the Management of the Accra Arts and Crafts Market led by the Manager, Adnan Mohammed and Deputy Manager, Wango Abdul Karimu, during a Gala and Awards night hosted to mark the end of her 10-day exhibition. Mr. Kusi received a citation acknowledging his pivotal role in enhancing the event’s visibility by way of marketing and PR whilst fostering strategic partnerships.

Mr. Kusi’s professional journey reflects a blend of academic excellence, industry experience, and dedication to national development. A proud alumnus of Prempeh College, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Ghana, Legon, before obtaining a Master of Arts in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now UNIMAC-GIJ) in 2020. He further pursued an MBA in Marketing at the Methodist University College Ghana, graduating in 2022. He also holds a Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

His service to Ghana’s tourism sector spans over a decade. From 2010 to 2014, he served as Board Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Ghana Tourism Authority. He later worked as Special Assistant to the late CEO of the Authority, Mr. Charles Osei Bonsu, from 2014 to 2017. Mr. Kusi was appointed Principal Corporate Affairs Officer in 2019, a position he held until early 2024, when he was elevated to Deputy Director, Domestic Marketing. In February 2025, he was again appointed by elevation as the Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Affairs

Known for his strong Pan-African and nationalistic values, Mr. Kusi has played key roles in several national tourism committees and programmes, contributing to the development and promotion of Ghana’s tourism landscape.

The international edition of the Accra Arts and Crafts Market and fair spanning a period of 10 days did not only promote Ghanaian products but also support small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in exporting their goods beyond the country’s borders. The market fair has been going on for the past eight (8) years but the international edition started last year. Countries that participated included Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, etc. It was a vibrant celebration of African creativity, culture, and craftsmanship. It brought together artisans, designers, and creators from Ghana and abroad, all showcasing a wide array of handmade products—fashion, art, crafts, décor, food, and more. The Accra Art & Craft Market is a platform that bridges the gap between artisans and audiences, elevating local crafts while promoting cultural heritage. The “international edition” reflects participation beyond Ghana, creating opportunities for exchange, exposure, and networking.

Attendees such as locals, foreigners, diasporans, tourists, diplomats, etc browsed and purchased authentic, locally made goods, enjoyed cultural performances, and engaged in cross-cultural exchange. The event was framed as an opportunity to “Experience the Magic of Africa through art, fashion, food, and more!” under the theme, “From Local Hands to the Global Stage”

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged players in Ghana’s hospitality industry to raise their standards and provide exceptional services that will leave visitors with lasting memories — making Ghana the preferred destination for tourism in Africa.

Speaking at a symposium in Cape Coast last Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), Ms. Gomashie emphasized that the hospitality sector remains the backbone of the country’s tourism industry. She revealed that tourism contributed GH¢4.8 billion to the economy last year and has the potential to contribute even more with a stronger commitment to service excellence.

The event, themed “50 Years of Advocacy, Perseverance and Impacting Ghana’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss how to improve service delivery and efficiency in the sector.

Raising Standards and Protecting Ghana’s Image

Ms. Gomashie called on the GHA to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that hotels and hospitality facilities maintain high standards and deliver on their promises.

“You must help us weed out hotels with beautiful pictures online but nothing to show in reality,” she said. “Our collective image as a country must be protected.”

She noted that while Ghana has made progress in tourism and hospitality, there is still much to be done to improve customer experience. “Too many facilities take patrons for granted and fail to deliver quality service,” she said.

Promoting Ghanaian Culture in Hospitality

The Minister encouraged hotels to reflect Ghana’s diverse cultures, cuisines, and arts in their offerings to make guests feel the uniqueness of the country.

“If I’m in your hotel room, what shows I am in Ghana? There has to be something different,” she emphasized.

She also urged hotels to use locally made products and partner with Ghanaian artisans and creatives to boost the arts and culture industry while enhancing guests’ experiences.

Investing in Employees

Ms. Gomashie highlighted the importance of staff training in improving service quality.

“Your employee should not bring me Pepsi when I ask for Coca-Cola, or pito when I ask for asaana,” she said humorously, stressing that staff competence and attentiveness are vital to excellent service.

Commendation and Commitment

The Minister commended the Ghana Hotels Association for its contributions to the growth of the sector over the past five decades. She said the association’s advocacy and leadership had supported Ghana’s transition from a modest domestic tourism market to a vibrant international destination.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with the private sector to build a competitive and sustainable hospitality industry as part of the Black Star Experience initiative — positioning Ghana as the gateway to Africa for leisure, business, and cultural tourism.

According to her, the national tourism and culture policies are currently under review to align with international best practices. She also emphasized the need for environmental cleanliness and protection of water bodies as part of sustainable tourism efforts.

“We envision a future where every hotel in Ghana tells a story — not just of comfort or class, but of sustainability, culture, and creativity,” she said.

Industry Leaders Share Insights

The President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr. Edward Ackah Nyamike, called for the establishment of a tourism school to train hospitality staff and harmonize service standards across the country. He also urged transparent use of the Tourism Development Fund and proposed that every hotel should be part of an association to ensure proper regulation.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, pledged continued collaboration with the Hotels Association to make Ghana a top tourism destination.

Other speakers, including Prof. Ishmael Mensah of the University of Cape Coast, encouraged facility owners to adopt dynamic pricing models, use local resources, and manage costs efficiently to achieve long-term profitability.

A group of Ghana’s renowned gospel musicians from the 1980s and 1990s have come together to form a new collective, The Legendary Minstrels, officially introducing the initiative during a courtesy visit to King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and the Ga Traditional Council this week.

The delegation, led by Diana Hopeson, included Rev. Mary Ghansah, members of Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Bishop Sammy Lartey, and other celebrated voices from the golden era of gospel music.

The visit was filled with nostalgia as the musicians and the Ga Mantse, who once worked with many of them in music production during his university days, reminisced about recording sessions, concerts, and ministry work. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, born Kelvin Nii Tackie Abia, produced and directed several gospel projects in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leaving a lasting impact on their careers.

Speaking at the palace, Diana Hopeson explained that The Legendary Minstrels was created to preserve the rich legacy of gospel music from their generation while serving as a mentorship platform for emerging artistes.

The Ga Mantse warmly welcomed the initiative, describing himself humorously as a “brother and gospel minister who now sits before you as king.”

The visit concluded with the musicians singing the Ga worship hymn “Kaashe gbeyei, shi mi kɛ bo yɔɔ” (“Fear not, for I am with you” – Isaiah 41:10), offering both encouragement to the king and a symbolic blessing for the new collective.

For the veteran artistes, the launch of The Legendary Minstrels represents both a celebration of their shared past and the beginning of a renewed mission to inspire today’s gospel scene with timeless songs and testimonies.