Culture
President Mahama Installed as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source in Ile-Ife
President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has been installed as Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at a grand royal ceremony held in Ile-Ife, the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba people.
The historic ceremony brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, captains of industry, diplomats, and cultural leaders from across Nigeria, Ghana, and the wider West African sub-region, underscoring the deep historical, cultural, and political bonds between the two countries.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, President Mahama said he accepted the title with deep humility and on behalf of the people of Ghana.
“I do not take this honour lightly. I receive this chieftaincy title on behalf of all the people of Ghana. It is a further cementing of the historic bond between the people of Ghana and the people of Nigeria,” President Mahama stated.
Reflecting on his long-standing personal relationship with Nigeria and the Ooni of Ife, President Mahama recalled the warmth and brotherhood he enjoyed during periods both in and out of political office.
“When I lost the elections in 2016, many people disappeared. But His Imperial Majesty never broke his friendship with me. Even when I was in opposition, he continued to ask, ‘When is your brother coming to visit me?’ That moved me deeply,” he said.
President Mahama recounted a visit to the Ooni’s palace during that period, noting that the encounter carried profound personal significance.
“After our meeting, His Imperial Majesty took me to the sacred parts of the palace, and the message from those secret places was clear: ‘Go, you will reclaim your seat.’ Truly, in 2024, I was re-elected as President,” he added.
Highlighting the shared destiny of Ghana and Nigeria, President Mahama emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation.
“When Nigeria prospers, Ghana prospers; and when Ghana prospers, Nigeria prospers. We are like twins of the same mother—except when we are playing football or debating who makes the better jollof,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
He also used the occasion to comment on regional security and political challenges, particularly developments in the Sahel.
“God placed us together in this sub-region for a purpose. Rather than ostracise our brothers, we must continue to build bridges between ECOWAS and the Sahelian states, because our destinies are tied together,” President Mahama noted.
President Mahama further acknowledged the enduring friendship between himself and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “an elder brother” and dedicating the honour to him.
“President Tinubu has been a source of inspiration and steadfast friendship to me, even in difficult times. I dedicate this honour to him,” he said.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described President Mahama as a bridge-builder and a symbol of African unity, noting that the title Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source reflects his contributions to regional integration, peace, and Pan-African cooperation.
Culture
GTA Holds First Tourism Stakeholders’ Engagement for 2026; CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto Signals Deeper Collaboration and Industry Training Focus
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has officially kicked off its 2026 engagement calendar with a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, bringing together key players across Ghana’s tourism value chain to set the tone for the year ahead.
The engagement, the first of its kind for the year, was attended by representatives from across the tourism industry, including hospitality operators, tour operators, event promoters, cultural and heritage stakeholders, and allied service providers. Also present were all three Deputy Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Tourism Authority, alongside Directors and senior management from the GTA Head Office.
In her address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, underscored the Authority’s commitment to deeper, more structured stakeholder engagement in 2026, stressing that collaboration remains critical to sustaining the gains made in recent years.
“This year, our engagement with industry stakeholders will be more deliberate, more consistent, and more results-driven,” Maame Efua Houadjeto stated.
“Tourism cannot grow in silos. Our focus is to work closely with stakeholders, listen more, align better, and build a sector that is professional, competitive, and globally respected.”
She further highlighted that 2026 will place strong emphasis on capacity building and training across the tourism industry, aimed at improving service delivery, operational standards, and overall visitor experience nationwide.
“Training is no longer optional. To protect Ghana’s tourism brand and remain competitive, we must continuously upgrade skills, improve service delivery, and professionalise every layer of the sector,” she noted.
“The Ghana Tourism Authority will prioritise targeted training programmes to support industry players and raise standards across the board.”

Reflecting on recent successes, the CEO referenced the impact of December in GH, describing it as clear evidence of what is possible when public and private sector stakeholders work together with shared purpose. She stressed, however, that the focus for 2026 is consolidation—moving decisively from momentum to sustainability.
The engagement also outlined key priority areas for the year, including strengthening December in GH as a structured tourism economy, deepening heritage and cultural tourism, expanding domestic tourism initiatives, enforcing standards and compliance, and driving innovation through strategic partnerships.
Participants welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Authority to grow the sector, create jobs, and enhance Ghana’s position as a preferred tourism destination.
The Ghana Tourism Authority reiterated its resolve to maintain open and consistent engagement with stakeholders throughout the year, as it works to build a resilient, inclusive, and high-performing tourism industry for Ghana.
#GhTourismReset
#BlackStarExpetience
Culture
Asantehene Visits Police Headquarters, Hailed as Ghana’s Modern King Solomon
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has made a historic visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra, drawing high praise from the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who described him as a powerful symbol of unity and wisdom in Ghana’s peace-building journey.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, marked a rare and significant interaction between traditional leadership and the country’s national security command.
Addressing the gathering, the IGP likened the Asantehene to the biblical King Solomon, citing his exceptional role in resolving some of Ghana’s most sensitive and long-standing conflicts. He noted that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s calm demeanor, moral authority, and patient approach to conflict resolution have been critical in restoring stability and strengthening public confidence in peace processes.
Mr Yohuno highlighted the Asantehene’s interventions in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis, tensions in Yendi, and the prolonged Bawku conflict as clear examples of leadership that have complemented national security efforts and promoted lasting peace.
“Your exceptional mediation skills, which have restored peace in numerous conflicts across our nation, compel me to describe you as the King Solomon of our time,” the IGP said.
Culture
Christmas Message, Dzifa Agbetepey Encourages Women to Defend Their Rights and Drive Cultural Growth
The deputy assistant, Black star Experience secretariat, office of the president and founder and president, Royal Women in Cinema Ghana Dzifa Agbetepey , has admonished women to stand up for their rights in all their endeavors.
She also urged women in the creative sector and needs to uplift Ghana and Africa through culture and creativity.
Dzifa Agbetepey made this call in release from her office, wishing everyone a merry Christmas.
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