Catherine Afeku appointed WTFI brand ambassador for Africa

Former Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Ablema Afeku, has been officially unveiled as the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) Brand Ambassador for Africa, in a ceremony marked by bipartisan goodwill and strong institutional support.

The unveiling ceremony took place on Monday night at the Accra Marriott Hotel, where the appointment letter was formally presented to Mrs Afeku by the Ghana representative of the World Tourism Forum Institute, Mr Richard Owusu.

The event was attended by the current Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who offered her personal congratulations, alongside a goodwill message from the Office of the President.

Guests at the ceremony commended the minister’s presence, describing it as a notable gesture of political maturity, given that Mrs Gomashie serves under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, while Mrs Afeku is a former minister from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Addressing the gathering, Minister Gomashie downplayed personal praise and instead urged Ghanaians to interpret the Presidency’s endorsement of the appointment as a reflection of national interest over partisan considerations.

She stated that to President John Dramani Mahama, tourism transcends political affiliation and that Mrs Afeku’s appointment represents a victory for Ghana as a whole, regardless of the political background through which the honour was conferred.

In a letter from Jubilee House signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe, the Government described the appointment as an honour to Ghana and assured Ambassador Afeku of full cooperation in the execution of her new responsibilities.

In her response, Mrs Afeku expressed deep appreciation to the President and the sector minister for what she described as a genuine show of national solidarity. She noted that the recognition affirmed her identity first and foremost as a Ghanaian and described the development as a positive turning point in the country’s political culture.

“This honour was conferred on me as a citizen of Ghana, and I am encouraged that both the President and the current minister view it in that light. This signals a new day in Ghanaian politics,” she said.

According to her appointment letter, signed by WTFI President Bulut Bağcı, Mrs Afeku was selected in recognition of her leadership and her role in championing high-level initiatives that positioned Ghana as a cultural powerhouse and an attractive destination for global tourism investment.

The Institute described her appointment as a testament to her international standing and her efforts to leverage tourism as a driver of inclusive growth in Ghana and the wider African region. It further noted that the appointment forms part of WTFI’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence and engagement across Africa.

With her new continental mandate, Mrs Afeku will advocate for investment, innovation and infrastructure development within Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector, drawing on her diplomatic experience and deep understanding of regional dynamics.

Headquartered in London, the World Tourism Forum Institute is a global platform focused on shaping the future of tourism and investment through strategic summits, policy engagement and investor matchmaking, aimed at promoting sustainable development and public-private collaboration worldwide.