As they count down to the staging of the 2025 TOSOGHA National Awards, at which event a dedication to the passion for tourism, arts and culture will take center-stage, the Tourism Society of Ghana (TOSOGHA) continues with their efforts to inspire students across the country to view tourism as a path to personal and national growth.
Embarking on a roadshow as part of a national project to ignite interest in tourism among Ghana’s youth and establishing tourism clubs in schools, TOSOGHA – led by its Executive Director, Mr. Joseph Amartey – has over the years recruited a good number of Senior High Schools into its fold.
During a recent visit to H’Mount Sinai Senior High School as part of TOSOGHA’s ‘Rejuvenation of Tourism Clubs’ campaign, he emphasised the role tourism plays in growing a country’s economy, and encouraged the students to promote tourism and hospitality in Ghana and consider building careers in the two sectors.
Cemeteries as a tourist attraction
Discussions have long been held on the tourism potentials of this country with the courting of investors to build the lofty dream attractions expected to help boost the sector.
As lip service continues to be paid, many are the low hanging fruits that punters fail to see. The metropolis of Cape Coast, for instance, is host to a good number of colonial legacies which, given some attention, could help propel the industry to the heights that is dreamt of.
Cemeteries are a great funerary destinations that evoke, among other things, much curiosity. If attention is paid to the tourists received in this country, it would reveal that descendants of our European colonisers would find it of great interest to visit the old burial sites of their ancestors who were buried here.
Recent photographs that have emerged, however, indicate that not only is the ground of the European Garrison Cemetery at Bakaano, Cape Coast, overgrown; but the entrance arch which bears the dates when it was active is crumbling with no sign of any renovations.
Conversely, focused and gaining much from a better organised tourism landscape, the UK has preserved its Highgate Cemetery with its tombs that date from the 1800s and notable graves, including those of the Commonwealth war. Officials say they need to raise £200,000 every year to preserve its future. And with tour tickets selling at £18 per adult, they are poised to achieve this goal year after year through sustainable tourism practices.
Meet hospitality folk
“I don’t have a favourite hangout, you know. Accra is truly ‘popping’ with a lot of amazing activity lately; but for me, everywhere I go, I create my own fun!” says @YujinSpeaks, Emcee extraordinaire, actor and voice-over artist, Eugene Evans, whose ‘life-of-the-party’ aura draws just the right amount of attention. Confident, well-spoken, very well-dressed and composed, his belief in his ‘Destiny-Stands-In-Need-Of-Me’ motto undoubtedly is the trump card that helps him ace it in the game!
