On Sunday, December 2, 2018, the Czech Embassy in Accra participated in an End of Year Meeting and Gala Dinner organised by Women in Tourism Ghana (“WIT Ghana”). The event, which was organised at the Accra Tourism Information Centre (AITC), brought together several dignitaries, especially women, who are direct stakeholders in the tourism industry. It was a climax to the association’s events and programs for the year 2018 and to throw a spotlight on what members and other stakeholders should expect in the year 2019.

The Economic Counselor, Mr. Tomas Zazvorka, and his assistant, Mr. Dominic Amoah, represented the Czech Embassy. The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Cynthia Morrision and Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman were present at the event. Other dignitaries were H.E. Lulu Xingwana, High Commission of South Africa in Ghana; H.E. Charles B. Yosob; High Commission of Namibia in Ghana and Maria Jose A. Darkus, Embassy of the Republic of Angola (Head of Tourism & Culture Department). H.E. Claudia Turbay, High Commission of Colombia in Ghana; Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority Nana Mbroba Dabo I, The Paramount Queen Mother of Anomabo Traditional Area and several others from the diplomatic corps graced the occasion.

Giving his speech during the event, the president of WIT Ghana, Ambassador Nancy Quartey Sam, gave the participants at the event a brief background of the Association, its objectives and plans for the future. She mentioned that there were a lot for women in the tourism industry, especially in the food and beverage sub sector, and so it was time that women took leading roles and a greater interest in the industry. She took the opportunity to encourage women to push themselves into realizing their dreams.

On her part, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Cynthia Morrision commended the leadership of the group for the initiative and promised to do her part to support them. She was particularly happy that the association used the platform to host and feast with some students of the Cape Coast School of Deaf and Blind. She recounted the ordeal her first son went through when he was born. According to her, her son had some speech deformities and there were fears he would not be able to speak when he grew up. Even though her son’s situation was miraculously rectified at some points in his life, she still have some special affection for people who are physically challenged because she believes it is something that could happen to anyone.

There were several other speeches and goodwill messages from the dignitaries present. Most of them commended the group for their contributions to the tourism industry and encouraged them to do more in the coming years. 

The night saw some great and energetic performance from legendary highlife female musician Akosua Agyapong and an amazing cultural display by the some students of the Cape Coast Deaf and Blind.

Dominic Amoah, economic assistant of the Czech Embassy in Accra