Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has officially accepted her appointment as Vice Chair of the African Travel Commission (ATC), reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to promoting tourism integration and sustainable development across the continent.

Her acceptance was announced during a high-level strategic meeting with the leadership of the African Travel Commission on the sidelines of the 2026 Hotel Managers Conference (HMC), held from July 11 to 12 at the Lagos Continental Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

The meeting brought together key tourism leaders, including Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and Chairman of the African Travel Commission, Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, Executive Director of the ATC, Dr. Lucky Onoriode George, and Board Member, Prof. Wasiu Babalola.

Speaking after accepting the appointment, Mrs. Houadjeto expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in her, describing the role as both an honour and a great responsibility. She pledged to work closely with the Commission’s leadership and tourism stakeholders across Africa to strengthen regional partnerships, encourage collaboration, and advance the continent’s tourism agenda.

She highlighted Ghana’s historic role as the host of Africa’s oldest travel and tourism organisation, the African Travel Commission, saying the country’s legacy places a responsibility on it to continue championing regional integration and sustainable tourism development.

Mrs. Houadjeto said one of her priorities as Vice Chair would be to bridge the gap between West Africa and other regions of the continent while promoting stronger cooperation among African countries. According to her, greater collaboration will boost intra-African travel, attract investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth through tourism.

Chairman of the African Travel Commission, Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, welcomed her acceptance of the appointment, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening the Commission’s vision for a more united African tourism industry.

He praised Ghana’s longstanding contribution to tourism development in Africa and expressed confidence that Mrs. Houadjeto’s experience and leadership would add value to the Commission.

“Ghana has always played an important role in African tourism, and I am confident that with Mrs. Houadjeto serving as Vice Chair, the Commission will benefit immensely from her experience and leadership. Ghana, West Africa, and indeed the entire continent stand to gain when we work together towards common goals,” he said.

Executive Director of the African Travel Commission, Dr. Lucky Onoriode George, also described Mrs. Houadjeto’s acceptance as a major milestone in the Commission’s revitalisation efforts and a reaffirmation of Ghana’s historic leadership as one of the ATC’s founding members.

He noted that Ghana’s active role in the Commission’s leadership would help advance the organisation’s vision of building a more united, competitive, and globally recognised African tourism industry.

Dr. George added that the Commission remains committed to strengthening partnerships among governments, the private sector, development partners, and tourism stakeholders to accelerate tourism growth, improve air connectivity, encourage research and innovation, attract investment, and position Africa as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by participants to promote a shared continental tourism agenda through strategic partnerships, regional integration, and sustainable development. They expressed confidence that Ghana’s leadership within the African Travel Commission would further support efforts to drive inclusive and sustainable tourism growth across Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey,has strongly denied allegations that he influenced the High Court’s ruling in the case involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Former legal counsel for Charles Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has questioned the basis of his former client’s conviction and 20-year prison sentence, arguing that the punishment raises serious legal concerns and should be challenged on appeal.

In an exclusive interview after the judgment, lawyer Ohene Amankwaa Gyan described the conviction as a “sad day,” saying he was deeply disappointed by the outcome.
“I have heard people celebrate the conviction as a deterrent to illegal mining, but I question whether the actual culprit has been punished,” he said.

The lawyer queried the presence of the man who at the court openly admitted involvement in activities linked to the Samleboi enclave, he believes there are unanswered questions about whether the real perpetrators of the alleged illegal mining operations were held accountable.

He further questioned whether his former client had become the main target of the prosecution.
“Does it mean Wontumi was the target rather than the real culprit? Does it mean other persons could go untouched just to incriminate him,” he stated.

Ohene Amankwaa Gyan revealed that he is dissatisfied with the court’s judgment and has advised Wontumi’s current legal team to file an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.

He disclosed that while he was still part of the defence team, they filed an appeal after the trial judge issued a submission of no case to answer, but said the application had not yet been determined.

Expressing optimism, the lawyer said a fresh appeal could produce a favourable outcome if pursued diligently.
Addressing claims that he withdrew from the case because he anticipated defeat, the former counsel dismissed the speculation, insisting that no lawyer could predict a judge’s final decision.
He explained that his withdrawal was solely based on his client’s own decision and not because he foresaw a losing case.

He added that any appeal would likely challenge both the conviction and the sentence, with possible outcomes including the quashing of the conviction, a reduction of the prison term, or even an enhancement of the sentence, depending on the appellate court’s findings.
Despite the uncertainty, the former lawyer maintained that he remains hopeful Wontumi could obtain a positive outcome if his lawyers proceed with an appeal. has advised Wontumi’s current legal team to file an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.

He disclosed that while he was still part of the defence team, they filed an appeal after the trial judge dismissed their submission of no case to answer, but said the application had not yet been determined.
Expressing optimism, the lawyer said a fresh appeal could produce a favourable outcome if pursued diligently.

Addressing claims that he withdrew from the case because he anticipated defeat, the former counsel dismissed the speculation, insisting that no lawyer could predict a judge’s final decision.
He explained that his withdrawal was solely based on his client’s own decision and not because he foresaw a losing case.

He added that any appeal would likely challenge both the conviction and the sentence, with possible outcomes including the quashing of the conviction, a reduction of the prison term, or even an enhancement of the sentence, depending on the appellate court’s findings.
Despite the uncertainty, the former lawyer maintained that he remains hopeful Wontumi could obtain a positive outcome if his lawyers proceed with an appeal.