The Ghana Tourism Authority's (GTA) Ladies Club recently organized a mentorship program for students at Aburi Girls' Senior High School in the Eastern Region. The program aimed to educate the students about career opportunities in the tourism sector and promote tourism consciousness among young Ghanaians. The event was held on the school premises at Aburi. The initiative is part of the GTA's efforts to empower young women and celebrate their role in the tourism industry.
Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, led the mentorship program. She emphasized the importance of promoting Ghana's unique cultural identity and heritage globally. According to Houadjeto, Ghana is endowed with rich cultural and heritage resources, offering numerous opportunities in areas such as culture, storytelling, fashion, arts, and heritage. She encouraged the students to develop a strong sense of pride in Ghana and contribute to taking the country's tourism story to the international stage.
The GTA's initiative aims to equip students with tourism knowledge so that they can become ambassadors who promote and market Ghana in the future. Mrs. Houadjeto cited Ghanaian personalities such as Chef Abby and fashion designer Christie Brown as examples of people using their creativity to market Ghana on the international platform. She also highlighted the importance of digital marketing in promoting tourism, particularly through content creation.
Mr. Jones Aruna Nelson, Eastern Regional Director of the GTA, stated that the Authority has established Tourism Clubs in various schools to mentor students and introduce them to the tourism business. He noted that the tourism sector is thriving and offers lucrative opportunities, and although it is public-sector-led, it is largely private-sector-driven. The goal is to encourage students to use digital platforms to showcase Ghanaian culture and promote tourism.
Madam Ophelia Nana Yaa Ankrah, Eastern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), advised the students to be mindful of their online activities. She reminded them that the internet does not forget, and content posted online can affect their future, particularly when they occupy higher positions. Ankrah urged them to use digital platforms positively to promote tourism and generate income.
The students commended the GTA for the initiative, saying it would expose them to Ghana's tourism attractions and enable them to appreciate, patronize, and promote the country's tourism resources effectively to the international community. Mr. Raphael Otu, Clubs Coordinator at Aburi Girls' SHS, stressed the importance of co-curricular activities in the development of students, stating that such activities form an important aspect of students' development and should be encouraged.
The mentorship program is part of the GTA's efforts to inculcate tourism consciousness among young Ghanaians. The program also aims to empower young women and celebrate their role in the tourism industry. The GTA's Ladies Club chose Aburi Girls' SHS to engage the students on the impact of tourism and the opportunities the sector offers, particularly in shaping their career choices.
Key points
- The GTA's Ladies Club organized a mentorship program for Aburi Girls' Senior High School students to educate them about career opportunities in tourism.
- The program aimed to promote tourism consciousness among young Ghanaians and empower young women.
- The GTA encourages students to use digital platforms to showcase Ghanaian culture and promote tourism.
