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Tour Operators Union of Ghana wraps up 15th nationwide tour with “Journey to the West”
The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has concluded its 15th nationwide tour, dubbed, “Journey to the West,” aimed at unravelling the hidden gems of Ghana’s Western Region.
From March 20 to 23, members embarked on a voyage of exploration, discovering the region’s rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.
The journey commenced with visits to historic landmarks such as Fort Batenstein and Fort San Antonio De Axim, where participants delved into Ghana’s colonial past while soaking in the coastal charm of the region.
Day two unfolded with immersive encounters at Nzulezu Village, where the operators engaged with local communities residing on stilts, gaining insights into their traditional way of life.
Exploring Fort Appolonia provided a glimpse into the architectural legacy of colonial rule, adding layers of historical context to the excursion.
In adherence to TOUGHA’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah led a charitable initiative, donating essential items and funds to the Nzema Manle Child and Vulnerable Care Centre at Awiebo, underscoring the union’s dedication to supporting local communities.
The tour culminated in Takoradi, the regional capital, with a poignant visit to Nkroful, the birthplace of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Amidst reflections on Nkrumah’s legacy, participants were treated to a dinner hosted by the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, fostering dialogue on the region’s tourism prospects.
In his interaction with the operators, the Minister commended them for taking the initiative to visit the region as he touted the area as a leading domestic tourism haven.
He assured them of working closely with TOUGHA to promote and sell the Western Region’s diverse tourism offerings, maintaining that not only is it true that “the best comes from the West,” but “the best is in the West.”
“This tour marks another milestone in our ongoing mission to showcase Ghana’s diverse tourism offerings,” Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah, President of TOUGHA said.
She added, “With each excursion, we strive to unearth unique experiences while fostering domestic tourism and enriching the itineraries we offer to our clients.”
Commenting on the tour’s significance, Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah remarked, “Our visit to the Western Region has been both enlightening and inspiring. We leave with a renewed appreciation for Ghana’s cultural heritage and a commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences for travellers seeking to explore this captivating region.”
Joining TOUGHA were representatives of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) who were key partners of the four-day tour. They included Deputy CEO – Operations, Ekow Sampson, Naa Ashiorkor Otoo, Public Private Partnership Secretariat, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, Deputy Director, Domestic Marketing.
Mr. Ekow Sampson commended TOUGHA for embracing the Authority’s “See Ghana, Share Ghana” campaign to advance the domestic tourism agenda.
As TOUGHA members return from their “Journey to the West,” anticipation builds for the unveiling of enticing travel packages that showcase the Western Region’s treasures, inviting adventurers to embark on their odyssey through Ghana’s cultural and tourism heartland.
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Prof Alidu Seidu files nomination for Tamale Central seat
The newly elected parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, has submitted his nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, he was the only person who had filed to contest the seat.
Nomination of candidates will close at the end of the day.
Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, Prof. Alidu Seidu won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Tamale Central constituency with a landslide victory.
The elections, supervised by the party’s Elections and IT Directorate in the Northern Region, saw Prof. Seidu poll 840 votes out of the total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, secured 536 votes.
The other aspirants could not make significant gains, with Dr. Seidu Fiter obtaining 44 votes, Aliu Abdul-Hamid 23 votes, and the rest recording fewer than 10 votes each.
In all, 1,500 ballots were cast, with 6 ballots rejected and 7 spoilt ballots recorded.
The results were signed and declared by Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, NDC Northern Regional Director of Elections and IT.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held parliamentary primaries in Tamale Central to choose a candidate for the upcoming by-election following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others.
His passing left the Tamale Central seat vacant, as required by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 30, 2025. While the NDC moved quickly to open nominations and vet aspirants, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced it would not contest the seat, citing the need to respect the somber circumstances and promote national unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
