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.
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
