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Irvine Partners, Africa’s leading independent agency, announces German expansion and launches dedicated Travel & Tourism Division
Irvine Partners, the leading independent creative communications agency in Africa, today announced the opening of its second European office in Stuttgart, Germany. This expansion coincides with the launch of a dedicated travel and tourism division within the agency.
Established in South Africa in 2010, Irvine Partners has grown its pan-African network, with wholly owned offices in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. In late 2020, the agency expanded its international reach with the opening of its London office which is now the group’s headquarters.
The decision to launch the German office alongside a dedicated travel and tourism division is a natural evolution for Irvine Partners.
“Germany and the UK are two of the biggest source markets for tourism into Africa,” says Rachel Irvine, CEO and founder of Irvine Partners. “Given our deep understanding of the continent, its cultures, and its people, Irvine Partners is perfectly positioned to showcase the best of African hospitality, lifestyle and tourism products to these key markets,”they revealed.
Leading the Irvine Partners team in Germany will be Monika Scheel-Kassai, a seasoned communications professional with over a decade of experience in the German media and PR sectors.
“Driving Irvine Partners’ expansion into Germany is a career highlight and a challenge I can’t wait to take up,” says Scheel-Kassai.
“Africa is a continent with a rich tapestry of cultures, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. I am excited to leverage Irvine Partners’ vast African expertise and creative storytelling to showcase some of the continent’s best hotels, lodges, vineyards, and attractions to the German media and public,” she noted.
Hitting the ground running with key clients
Irvine Partners Germany has already secured partnerships with several key travel and tourism clients, including the iconic Kruger Gate Hotel, situated minutes from South Africa’s world-renowned Kruger National Park.
“Irvine Partners has been our longstanding communications partner across Africa and the United Kingdom for many years,” says Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel.
He added that “It naturally made perfect sense to appoint them as our partner for the German market. As a client, I value having one team that understands my business from the ground up. The economies of scale this offers and the unparalleled reach this team brings to the table are invaluable to a business like mine.”
Joint venture with the public
This expansion into Germany will be undertaken as a joint venture with established German communications, influencer, and social media agency, the public. Both Irvine Partners and the public are members of PRWA, the global network for independent agencies.
“the public has been on the ground for more than 19 years and knows the local market inside out,” Irvine says of the decision to launch as a joint venture “This means we can offer our clients exceptional value and market insight from day one, leveraging the public’s established relationships and expertise, combined with Irvine Partners’ Africa-specific specialist insights.”
Shared values and opportunity
Christian Josephi, CEO of the public, echoes these sentiments.
He said,“We are delighted to be going into partnership with Irvine Partners,” he says. “Our values are aligned, and the potential for Irvine Partners to introduce German clients to the African media landscape is equally compelling. Together, we can create truly unique and impactful campaigns that bridge the gap between Africa and Europe.”
With a presence in both the UK and Germany, Irvine Partners is well-placed to bridge the gap between African tourism entities and European travellers.
The agency’s deep understanding of African travel destinations and its proven creative communication expertise will allow Irvine Partners to develop and execute targeted campaigns that resonate with European audiences.
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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EC to conduct elections in selected polling stations at Ablekuma North
As part of its commitment to resolve the impass egarding he Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary Election, the Electoral Commission(EC) yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, provided both parties the opportunity to brief the commission on any new
developments regarding the said constituency.
The parties informed the Commission that their positions put forward at the last mecting remained unchanged.
The NDC held the view that the election should be rerun thirty -seven
(37) Polling Stations because scanned Pink Sheets from 37 Polling Stations which were used to
collate the results, were provided the NPP.
The NPP was of the view that the results from three (3) outstanding Poling Stations be collated and a winner declared since the NDC Agents had verified and confirmed
the scanned Poling Station results they presented.
According to the EC, it is important for the public to understand that the issue in contention has to do with
the fact that 37 Pink Sheets provided by the NPP and used to colate the results were scanned copies.
“The Public may recall that Political Party supporters besieged our Collation Centre and
destroyed a number of the Pink Sheets for the Ablekuma North Parliamentary Elcction during the collation of results following the December 7 Gencral Election,” the EC added.
After extensive deliberations, the Commission informed the Political Parties that it would
proceed to rerun the election in 19
of the 37 Polling Stations.
The Commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the underlisted Polling Stations because, the scanned Polling Station resuits used for the collation, though approved by Agents of both political Parties, were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for the Polling
Stations.
According to the EC, it is instructive to note that the Commission was able to secure the Presiding Officers
verification and confirmation for 18 scanned Polling Station results-
Agents of both parties also approved same.
The election will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025
The Commission has further urged the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
