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Irvine Partners, Africa’s leading independent agency, announces German expansion and launches dedicated Travel & Tourism Division
Irvine Partners, the leading independent creative communications agency in Africa, today announced the opening of its second European office in Stuttgart, Germany. This expansion coincides with the launch of a dedicated travel and tourism division within the agency.
Established in South Africa in 2010, Irvine Partners has grown its pan-African network, with wholly owned offices in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. In late 2020, the agency expanded its international reach with the opening of its London office which is now the group’s headquarters.
The decision to launch the German office alongside a dedicated travel and tourism division is a natural evolution for Irvine Partners.
“Germany and the UK are two of the biggest source markets for tourism into Africa,” says Rachel Irvine, CEO and founder of Irvine Partners. “Given our deep understanding of the continent, its cultures, and its people, Irvine Partners is perfectly positioned to showcase the best of African hospitality, lifestyle and tourism products to these key markets,”they revealed.
Leading the Irvine Partners team in Germany will be Monika Scheel-Kassai, a seasoned communications professional with over a decade of experience in the German media and PR sectors.
“Driving Irvine Partners’ expansion into Germany is a career highlight and a challenge I can’t wait to take up,” says Scheel-Kassai.
“Africa is a continent with a rich tapestry of cultures, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. I am excited to leverage Irvine Partners’ vast African expertise and creative storytelling to showcase some of the continent’s best hotels, lodges, vineyards, and attractions to the German media and public,” she noted.
Hitting the ground running with key clients
Irvine Partners Germany has already secured partnerships with several key travel and tourism clients, including the iconic Kruger Gate Hotel, situated minutes from South Africa’s world-renowned Kruger National Park.
“Irvine Partners has been our longstanding communications partner across Africa and the United Kingdom for many years,” says Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel.
He added that “It naturally made perfect sense to appoint them as our partner for the German market. As a client, I value having one team that understands my business from the ground up. The economies of scale this offers and the unparalleled reach this team brings to the table are invaluable to a business like mine.”
Joint venture with the public
This expansion into Germany will be undertaken as a joint venture with established German communications, influencer, and social media agency, the public. Both Irvine Partners and the public are members of PRWA, the global network for independent agencies.
“the public has been on the ground for more than 19 years and knows the local market inside out,” Irvine says of the decision to launch as a joint venture “This means we can offer our clients exceptional value and market insight from day one, leveraging the public’s established relationships and expertise, combined with Irvine Partners’ Africa-specific specialist insights.”
Shared values and opportunity
Christian Josephi, CEO of the public, echoes these sentiments.
He said,“We are delighted to be going into partnership with Irvine Partners,” he says. “Our values are aligned, and the potential for Irvine Partners to introduce German clients to the African media landscape is equally compelling. Together, we can create truly unique and impactful campaigns that bridge the gap between Africa and Europe.”
With a presence in both the UK and Germany, Irvine Partners is well-placed to bridge the gap between African tourism entities and European travellers.
The agency’s deep understanding of African travel destinations and its proven creative communication expertise will allow Irvine Partners to develop and execute targeted campaigns that resonate with European audiences.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
