Entertainment
ATC revived to sell Africa
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After a 45-year hiatus, the African Travel Commission (ATC) has been revived and repositioned to promote intra-Africa travel and tourism to sell Africa to the rest of the world.
ATC initially established in 1965 and operated up to 1975 was to function just like the European Travel Commission (ETC) shortly after many African countries gained independence from colonial powers and started running their own affairs as sovereign nations.
This was made known by Mr. Lucky Onoriode George, Executive Director of ATC, who said that Africa had now finally found its voice following the revival of the once-powerful continental body that helped shape global tourism between 1965 and 1975.
He noted that ATC was established as a regional voice for Africa, and due to the reforms it initiated then, the International Union of Official Travel Organisations [IUOTO] was transformed into World Tourism Organisation (WTO) before it was retransformed in 2014 into the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
ATC’s contributions led IUOTO to initiate September 27 every year as the globally celebrated World Tourism Day.
The ATC Executive Director reiterated that therevived commission, working with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors in the tourism industry on the continent would actualise the dreams of improving intra-African tourism.
ATC is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) established to provide a platform where tourism officials and business professionals could meet and collaborate; as well as, connect experts and stakeholders that have shared vision across the travel and tourism industry in Africa.
Its activities are to be implemented by the executive unit based in Accra, Ghana under the guidance of the board of directors, and with the support of a number of expert groups.
Membership is open to all National Tourism Agencies (NTAs) of the 55 member countries in Africa as well as to all private-sector National Tourism Federations (NTFs).
Organisers of Rhythms On Da Runway have announced November 28, 2026 as the date for the 16th edition of the event, to be held at the Palms Convention Centre.
This year’s edition, themed: ‘UNBOUND: Because You’ve Got Style’, is focused on breaking barriers in fashion and creating space for all.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Nineteen57 Events, Shirley Emma Tibilla, affectionately called Cookie Tee, the focus of this edition is to give everyone an opportunity to express themselves without barriers.
She told The Spectator that as a leading fashion brand in the country and beyond, they want to open doors for people regardless of their colour, size and abilities among others.
Described by the BBC as “the biggest cultural exposé in Africa,” Rhythms On Da Runway returns this year as a celebration of fashion, music and individual expression without limits.
Organisers say for years fashion has been shaped by narrow ideas of who belongs on the runway, with certain body types, ages and abilities placed at the centre while many others are left out. UNBOUND seeks to open that picture.
This year’s runway will welcome people with different abilities, backgrounds, body types and personal stories. The theme will influence model casting, the collections, the stories told through the clothes and the way guests experience the event.
Beyond the runway, ‘Unbound’ will create room for young people to learn from established designers, gain practical experience and explore careers within fashion and the wider creative industry.
It will also open conversations around adaptive fashion, accessible event design, talent discovery, mentorship and employment.
The 2026 edition will bring together fashion designers and music stars from Ghana and across the African diaspora, with strong collections, live performances and an all-star cast of celebrity models.
The event will also feature the Black Star Awards, which will honour public figures shaping Africa’s future through leadership and contributions to the continent’s Orange Economy.
Organisers say the list of participating designers, performing artists, award recipients and other event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician Bernice Offei has passed on Saturday August 12, 2026.
She was 63.
The news of her demise flashed through social media on Saturday, prompting an outpouring of grief from musicians, fans and members of the Christian community, who have since paid tribute to her distinguished career.
She gained strong reputation as a singer, songwriter and minister whose music transcended generations.
Some of her popular songs include ‘Kaa She Gbeyei,’ ‘It’s By Grace,’ ‘Nyame Kokroko’ and ‘N’adom Ara Kwa.’
Her contribution to the growth of gospel music in Ghana was recognised in 2009 when she won the Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year awards at the Ghana Music Awards, now known as the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Beyond music, Mrs Offei distinguished herself in academia and professional life. She attended Achimota School before earning an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from University College London in the United Kingdom.
Mrs Offei was married to Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and the couple had two children.
Her death comes days after she was reported missing but was later found safe.
Mrs Offei leaves behind a rich music legacy that continues to inspire faith, hope and resilience among generations of listeners. -GNA
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