News
African Tourism Partners appoints Feancis Doku as West Africa Regional Representative
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.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
