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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.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested several suspected drug peddlers and recovered large quantities of narcotic substances in intelligence-led operations across Kumasi.
The I.G.P. Special Operations Team, working with the Ashanti Regional Police Command, targeted locations identified as hubs for the sale and distribution of drugs within the metropolis.
At Asawase, Kwame Afriyie, 61, alias “Con Papa” also known as “American Man”, was arrested. Police recovered 33 compressed parcels of suspected cannabis from his room and 48 more from his provision shop.
-Additionally, at Asafo, Kofi Acheampong alias “Mokobiley” was arrested with 311 transparent sachets of dried leaves suspected to be narcotics, 13 compressed parcels, 10 brown paper wraps containing black rock-like substances suspected to be cocaine, and restricted pharmaceutical products.
The operations continued to Krofrom, where Michael Owusu Agyeman, 22, a National Service personnel, was arrested with 15 bottles of fruit juice suspected to be laced with cannabis.
Other operations at Atonsu-Bokuro, Krofrom, Kenyase, Asokwa, Buokrom and Asafo BB led to the arrest of Adamu Ibrahim, 44; Stanley Boahene, 24; Favour Emmanuel, 23; Abubakar Sadick, 28; Adwoa Serwaa Boamah, 36; Paul Quagraine, 40; Nana Kwasi Amo Peprah, 47; Hamdiyah Ibrahim, 37; Nicholas Adorku, 39; and Natson Yaaba, 31.
Exhibits retrieved include compressed parcels of suspected cannabis, tramadol tablets, ecstasy, amphetamine, suspected cocaine and other controlled substances. All items have been secured for forensic examination.
All suspects have been arraigned and remanded into Police custody pending further court dates.
The Police Service says the operation forms part of its ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse. It urged the public to provide credible information on drug-related activities.
The Command commended the I.G.P. Special Operations Team and Ashanti Regional officers for their professionalism and efforts to disrupt criminal drug networks and maintain public safety.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has referred former Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, to its National Disciplinary Committee following petitions over recent comments he made.
The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, announced the decision and said the petitions relate to remarks that are believed to be harmful to the party’s unity and cohesion.
According to him, the National Disciplinary Committee has been given two weeks to investigate the matter and submit its report to the party’s leadership.
“The position is that we have referred all petitions received regarding Kennedy Agyapong’s comments to the National Disciplinary Committee, and we have given them two weeks to deal with the matter,” he said.
He explained that after receiving the committee’s report, the National Executive Committee (NEC) will hold another meeting to discuss the findings and decide on the next course of action.
The petitions stem from recent comments by Mr Agyapong in which he alleged that contracts awarded under the previous NPP administration, including those linked to the construction of the 37 Military Hospital, required contractors to pay a 10 per cent kickback before securing the deals.
He also accused some party officials of engaging in practices that contributed to the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general election.
By:Jacob Aggrey
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