Entertainment
GTA moves to address price hikes in December
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has expressed its commitment to address price hikes during the yuletide.
There has been plethora of reviews pointing to the fact that some players in the Tourism trade ecosystem increased their prices during the yuletide.
Against this backdrop, GTA has put measures in place to address the concerning situation.
This was brought to light on Tuesday, January 13, during GTA CEO’s stakeholder engagement with the media.
Addressing a question, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maame Efua Houadjeto, said, people normally took advantage of the Christmas season to increase the prices of their goods and services.
This notwithstanding, she said there would be proper regulations in place and employ the services officers to go round and report those fleecing their clients.
She added that they would advertise places who comply on their website, and other platforms as well as attach their prices.
On his part, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GTA in charge of Marketing and Special Duties, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, said they have met various trades associations under GTA and engaged them on the consequences of such actions.
“The Ghana Tourism Authority, on our part, have met our stakeholders – the various trade associations under the Tourism sector, hotels, car rentals and all that, and our appeal to them was not to take advantage of the festive season,” he said.
He further added that “if you have 100 room occupancy and you think that GTA has marketed the December in Ghana for more people to come and you hike your prices, you will not break even.”
Mr Aggrey advised that business was a sustainable long term investment and for that reason the target should not be making profit everyday by taking advantage of clients.
He called on the media to join the GTA educate the public and stakeholders.
The media engagement held from January 12-13, was part of GTA’s high-level stakeholders’ meeting, bringing together key players across Ghana’s tourism value chain to set the tone for the year ahead.
The engagement, the first of its kind for the year, was attended by representatives from across the tourism industry, including hospitality operators, tour operators, event promoters, cultural and heritage stakeholders, and allied service providers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
