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TOUGHA President Alisa Osei-Asamoah receives Ghana Women of Excellence award
President of the Tour Operators Union Ghana (TOUGHA) Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah, on Friday, March 8, emerged as a distinguished recipient of the coveted Ghana Women of Excellence Award.
The prestigious accolade, presented during the 9th edition of the awards ceremony, recognised Mrs.Osei-Asamoah’s remarkable contributions to the social and economic development of Ghana in the Tourism Promotion Category.
Organised by Top Brass Ghana at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra, this momentous occasion is held annually to coincide with the global celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. The erstwhile Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, in 2010, mandated the commemoration of this day with the initiation of the Ghana Women of Excellence Awards Scheme.
The inaugural ceremony took place on March 9, 2011, with subsequent editions in 2012, 2015, and annually since 2019.
Upon receiving the esteemed award, Mrs. Osei-Asamoah expressed her gratitude and reflected on the importance of recognising women’s contributions in various sectors. She stated, “I am truly honoured to receive this award and I believe it symbolises not just my efforts but the collective dedication of many women contributing to the growth of our nation. This recognition on International Women’s Day is a testament to the strides we’ve made and the limitless potential we hold as women.”
The TOUGHA President received in addition to the award a certificate and a citation which praised her efforts towards domestic tourism promotion.
“At the helm of TOUGHA, you have not only led but inspired your fellow members to uncover the hidden treasures within the nooks and crannies of our beloved country. This collaborative effort has not only shed light on the richness of Ghana’s tourism potential but has also significantly propelled the sector forward,” portions of the citation read.
In acknowledging the significance of the Tourism Promotion Category, she highlighted the critical role of tourism in Ghana’s development. “Tourism is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and cultural exchange. Through our collective efforts at the Tour Operators Union of Ghana, we’ve endeavoured to showcase the richness of our nation to the world, fostering positive change and development.”
Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah’s latest accolade adds another gleaming chapter to her illustrious leadership journey. As the President of TOUGHA and CEO of Riali Consult, she has steered Ghana’s tourism sector to unprecedented success. Her unwavering commitment and visionary approach have garnered numerous plaudits over the past few years.
Reflecting on her dual roles, Mrs. Osei-Asamoah shared, “Balancing the responsibilities of leading TOUGHA and managing Riali Consult has been both challenging and rewarding. It’s a testament to the dedication of our team members and the support we receive from the broader community. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones by the grace of God and this award is a collective triumph.”
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
