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Ghanaian Innovator Joseph Owiredu Wins Best Young Innovator Award at 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum
Joseph Owiredu, a young Ghanaian entrepreneur, took home the Best Young Innovator Award at the 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards, held last Friday at the Gaborone International Convention Centre.
The forum, which ran from September 3rd to 6th, 2024, marks the third consecutive year that Botswana has hosted this prestigious event.
Owiredu, the CEO of Fihankra ComTech Limited—a start-up that specializes in developing personal safety and security innovations for Africa’s tourism industry—was selected from a pool of over 154 entries submitted to the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge.
His project, which focuses on enhancing safety in tourism through innovative tech solutions, earned him the top spot after presenting his demo to the adjudication committee.
Rosalia Haufiku Laudika, a student from Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), claimed second place, while Ajena Jafar, Founder & CEO of Tour Plug from Uganda, finished third.
The challenge provides young African innovators and entrepreneurs in the travel and tourism sectors a platform to showcase their ideas to global investors, partners, and mentors, offering invaluable opportunities for funding and collaboration.
Joseph Owiredu had been shortlisted as one of the three runners up, along with Laudika and Jafar, following the 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit, held in May 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia. Unfortunately, due to last-minute obstacles, he was unable to attend the awards ceremony in Botswana.
His award was received on his behalf by Francis Doku, Media Executive and COO of Digital Plugin Limited, a Ghana-based media and digital company.
Owiredu, has expressed his gratitude, saying, “This recognition highlights the immense potential for technology to redefine safety standards in African tourism. I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase Fihankra ComTech’s work.”
The 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, began with the call for entries in November 2023 and closed in March 2024.
It received entries from various African countries, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Previous winners of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, such as Rwanda’s Aline Murekatete (2020), Ghana’s Eugene Allotey (2021), South Africa’s Scott Blount (2022), and Kenya’s Gloria Kisilu have gone on to receive international attention following their wins.
The 7th ATLF and Awards, organized in collaboration with the Botswana Tourism Organisation, Africa Tourism Partners, and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, was a platform for industry leaders to chart a path forward for tourism in Africa.
Themed “Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism, and Investments,” the forum gathered key players from Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors.
Botswana’s Vice President and Acting President, Slumber Tsogwane, officially opened the forum, emphasizing the critical role of tourism in driving economic diversification and growth across the continent.
The awards ceremony, which served as the climax of the forum, honored individuals and organizations excelling in categories such as innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
The event has become a beacon for showcasing African talent and driving tourism forward through collaboration, innovation, and private-sector-led growth.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that in the whole of 2024, only GHS 362 million was released to MMDAs in Common Fund.
Contrary to this, In 2025 alone GHS 5 billion was released to the MMDAs with the following breakdown as follows.
The Minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series held today.
In breakdown, the minister nonted that 1st Quarter – 790,372,058.40 was released for 2025.
He added that for the 2nd Quarter, 1,464,983,309.60 was released.
3rd Quarter saw the release of 1,188,921,640.80 and
1,592,706,391.20 for 4th Quarter.
The Minister added tha each of the MMDAs were required to undertake the following; at least 2-CHPS compounds, 3 Classroom blocks, 10 Boreholes, and Completion of legacy projects.
Additionally, 25% of the Common Fund was allocated for the Construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets.
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that as a result of the timely and unprecedented release of Funds, a total of 494 CHPS compounds, 761 Classroom Blocks, 4,029 Boreholes, and 2,755 Legacy projects are currently at various stages of completion.
Also, he added that 261 24-Hour Economy Model Markets have all been awarded on contracts and construction has begun on many of them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
