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African Tourism Partners appoints Feancis Doku as West Africa Regional Representative 

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Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), a distinguished Pan-African tourism development, business advisory, and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Francis Doku as the new West Africa Regional Representative, effective immediately.

 Mr. Doku brings a wealth of experience as a Ghanaian expert in marketing communications, media, and tourism promotion, and we are confident that his leadership will strengthen our initiatives in the region.

ATP, a UN Tourism Affiliate Member and recipient of the UN Tourism Distinction Award, is a Pan-African firm specialising in tourism development and strategic destination marketing. 

Its expertise spans strategy formulation, master planning, and strategic marketing within the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, and MICE-E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions, and Events) sectors. Through robust partnerships and global networks, ATP drives initiatives that deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes.

A Legacy of Strategic Impact

With over two decades of experience in strategic business leadership, media innovation, and tourism development, Francis Doku’s appointment signals ATP’s ambition to accelerate West Africa’s growth as a global tourism and MICE-E powerhouse.

Doku’s career is a masterclass in versatility, spanning journalism, strategic media buying, media management, digital marketing, event management, content production, destination marketing, and tourism promotion.

 As Chief Operations Officer of Digital Plugin Limited, he transformed the agency into a pivotal force in Ghana’s digital marketing and MICE sector, securing high-profile conferences that positioned Ghana as a key player in business tourism.

His entrepreneurial flair was equally evident in Maestro Africa Group, a communications consultancy he founded, where he crafted campaigns for blue-chip brands and curated exhibitions that seamlessly blended cultural storytelling with economic opportunity.

In his role as General Manager of Adams Media Limited (Carat Ghana), Doku led media strategies for global brands like Coca-Cola, MTN, Vlisco, and Procter & Gamble, achieving over 100% annual growth in billings through strategic media planning and execution.

As a travel writer, content creator, and destination marketing professional, Doku has collaborated with diverse destinations through marketing campaigns, familiarisation trips, and influencer initiatives, significantly boosting tourism awareness and conversions. 

Whether amplifying South African Tourism’s outreach in Ghana or writing evocatively about Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Kenya, or Namibia, his passion for showcasing Africa’s rich tapestry has been a driving force in West African travel narratives.

His tenure as General Manager of TV3 and MG Digital under Media General further showcased his transformative leadership.

 Under his watch, TV3’s market share grew by 40%, while the digital platforms experienced over 60% growth, driven by strategic content development and audience engagement.

A Vision Rooted in Collaboration

“Francis embodies the rare trifecta of strategic vision, media savvy, and tourism expertise,” said Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners.

 “His ability to turn ideas into measurable impact – whether through destination branding or youth empowerment – aligns perfectly with our mission to position West Africa as a beacon of inclusive growth.”

For Doku, this role is both an exciting challenge and a call to action.

“West Africa’s cultural wealth and natural wonders are unparalleled, but unlocking their full potential demands collaboration,” he noted. 

“I’m eager to work with governments, private sector leaders, and our vibrant youth to build a tourism ecosystem that doesn’t just attract visitors but transforms communities.”

A Future Built on Heritage and Innovation Doku’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for African tourism. 

As global travellers increasingly seek authentic, sustainable experiences, West Africa’s vibrant cultures, historic landmarks, and emerging MICE infrastructure position it as a rising star on the global tourism map. His proven track record in digital transformation ensures that ATP’s initiatives will resonate in today’s hyper-connected world, bridging tradition with innovation to drive growth.

About Africa Tourism Partners (ATP):

Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) is a Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm. ATP specializes in strategy formulation, research, master planning and strategic marketing development in the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries. 

Our firm leverages the expertise it has established through our global strategic partners and global networks to ensure that we continually execute impactful and uniquely designed programmes with measurable outcomes.

Being based in Johannesburg, South Africa, ATP has strategic key partnerships in Angola, Botswana, China, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, Singapore, Scotland, Tanzania, USA and Zimbabwe. These teams of experienced experts, representatives, global partners and networks, allow us to execute uniquely designed and impactful programs for our clients.

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 60 beekeepers trained in Volta, Oti regions

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• participants at the event

 Sixty beekeepers from the Volta and Oti regions have undergone a day’s capacity training in Ho to enhance their skills in improved way of harvesting honey.

The training which was organised by VOR­AB Project International, a non-governmen­tal organisation with funding from UNDP Global Environment Facility, seeks to school participants on the requisite knowledge on how to use modern equipment to enhance their work.

They were taken through hygienic ways of harvesting honey, guidelines of quality product, packaging and customer care.

Mr Devine Okoe Odonkor, Executive Director of VORAB Project International, noted that the NGO has been part of the beekeeping development effort in the Volta and Oti regions.

Therefore we are desirous of putting our expertise at the disposal of the district assemblies to develop the beekeeping industry as a sustainable nature conserva­tion and sustainable employment unit of the assemblies.

However, degradation of the natural environment due to primary production ac­tivities such as farming, sand winning and charcoal production have been alarming.

“We need to take advantage of a lot of benevolence for humanity, pollination for forest and farm crops production bee prod­ucts for food, medicine for these priceless gifts from bees.

Toured Amaglo, Customer Service Officer of the Forestry Commission in his remarks said we need to promote the establishment of one bee farm per district in the Volta and Oti regions as an integrated socio-economic and natural environment management unit of the assemblies.

He said despite financial challenges within the region, VORAB had demonstrat­ed appreciable efforts in making sure education gets to many more people in the communities.

He advised more youth to be ready to learn beekeeping and apply the various en­trepreneurial skills that would be provided.

From Kafui Gati, Ho

Sixty beekeepers from the Volta and Oti regions have undergone a day’s capacity training in Ho to enhance their skills in improved way of harvesting honey.

The training which was organised by VOR­AB Project International, a non-governmen­tal organisation with funding from UNDP Global Environment Facility, seeks to school participants on the requisite knowledge on how to use modern equipment to enhance their work.

They were taken through hygienic ways of harvesting honey, guidelines of quality product, packaging and customer care.

Mr Devine Okoe Odonkor, Executive Director of VORAB Project International, noted that the NGO has been part of the beekeeping development effort in the Volta and Oti regions.

Therefore we are desirous of putting our expertise at the disposal of the district assemblies to develop the beekeeping industry as a sustainable nature conserva­tion and sustainable employment unit of the assemblies.

However, degradation of the natural environment due to primary production ac­tivities such as farming, sand winning and charcoal production have been alarming.

“We need to take advantage of a lot of benevolence for humanity, pollination for forest and farm crops production bee prod­ucts for food, medicine for these priceless gifts from bees.

Toured Amaglo, Customer Service Officer of the Forestry Commission in his remarks said we need to promote the establishment of one bee farm per district in the Volta and Oti regions as an integrated socio-economic and natural environment management unit of the assemblies.

He said despite financial challenges within the region, VORAB had demonstrat­ed appreciable efforts in making sure education gets to many more people in the communities.

He advised more youth to be ready to learn beekeeping and apply the various en­trepreneurial skills that would be provided.

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 Dagbon bows in majesty to bid farewell to Late Mion Lana

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Sambu, the ancestral heartland of the Mion Traditional Area, has become a river of royal memory and cultural splendor as Dagbon bids farewell to one of its most revered sons, the late Mion Lana, Nyab Abdulai Mahamudu, in a grand specta­cle of tradition, reverence, and unity.

For a week now, the town has pulsed with a sacred rhythm resounding with ancestral drumming, soul-stirring dirges, ceremonial dances, and the thunderous salute of muskets.

The air is thick with incense and history, as Dagbon’s ancient customs unfurl in a symphony of grief and grandeur.

At the centre of it all stands the enduring spirit of the Mion Lana “The Peacemaker of Dagbon” whose final funeral rite, culmi­nated in a historic durbar, drawing chiefs, royals, politicians, and mourners.

All have gathered in Sambu not merely to mourn, but to celebrate a life that bridged tradition and transformation.

Nyab Abdulai Mahamudu was enskinned as Bolin-Lana at the tender age of 14, following the death of his father, the late Ya-Na Mahamadu IV.

For over three decades, he waited in the wings of tradition, observing sacred pro­tocols and enduring royal seclusion until March 3, 2019, when he was enskinned as Mion Lana, one of the most powerful positions within the Dagbon Kingdom and a direct heir to the revered Ya-Na throne. Yet his reign, though brief, was profoundly impactful.

With a voice firm in wisdom and a heart anchored in peace, the Mion Lana became a cornerstone in healing the fractured legacy of Dagbon’s past.

In 2019, his public endorsement of Ya-Na Abukari II symbolised the dawn of a new era—one of reconciliation, renewal, and shared destiny.

He was more than a royal figure; he was a visionary. Under his leadership, the Mion Traditional Area witnessed a surge in youth engagement, education reform, and com­munity development.

His “Back to School” campaigns reignit­ed hope for thousands of young people. Through partnerships with organisations like the Ghana National Petroleum Corpora­tion (GNPC), he oversaw the construction of new classroom blocks and championed the drilling of over 15 mechanised boreholes, bringing clean water to remote communi­ties.

In every action, the Mion Lana embodied a rare fusion of tradition and progress of ancient authority and modern compassion.

The final rites spearheaded by the elders of the Abudu Royal Gate and the Mion Traditional Council are as much a cultural renewal as they are a farewell.

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 GTA official honoured for outstanding support to TOUGHA

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• Mr Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi being honoured

 Mr Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has been honoured for his ex­ceptional contributions to the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA).

The honour was conferred by Mrs Alisa Osei-Asamoah, the immediate past president of TOUGHA, during a thanksgiving dinner she hosted to mark the end of her four-year leadership of the Union.

Mr Kusi received a citation acknowledging his pivotal role in enhancing TOUGHA’s visibility and fostering strategic partnerships during her tenure.

“Through your expertise and extensive media connections, you have significantly amplified TOUGHA’s visibility and highlight­ed our efforts across the industry. Your strategic media guidance has been instrumental in shaping pos­itive narratives about our work,” the citation read.

It continued, “Beyond media support, your role as Deputy Di­rector of Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Tourism Authority has been crucial in strengthening TOUGHA’s collaboration with key institu­tions. Your counsel, professional­ism, and unwavering commitment have been a pillar not only to me personally, but to the entire union.”

Mr Kusi’s professional jour­ney reflects a blend of academic excellence, industry experience, and dedication to national devel­opment.

A proud alumnus of Prempeh College, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Ghana, Legon, be­fore obtaining a Master of Arts in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now UNI­MAC-GIJ) in 2020.

He further pursued an MBA in Marketing at the Methodist Uni­versity College Ghana, graduating in 2022. He also holds a Certifi­cate in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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