Kacstone Record's, Sister Kingdom Network participate in high-level tourism summit in Lesotho

Music and cultural promotion organisation Kacstone Records, in partnership with the Sister Kingdom Network, is participating in a two-day high-level tourism summit in the Kingdom of Lesotho, where stakeholders are discussing strategies to strengthen tourism and cultural cooperation across Africa.

The summit, dubbed the Lesotho Tourism Pitso, is being held in Maseru from Wednesday, September 16, to Thursday, September 17, under the auspices of the Lesotho Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Culture through the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation.

The gathering brings together stakeholders from the tourism, culture and creative industries in Lesotho and other parts of Africa to explore ways of positioning Lesotho as a competitive tourism destination while promoting intra-African tourism and cultural exchange.

The Sister Kingdom Network is a continental and global cultural-economic integration framework established to reconnect African kingdoms, chiefdoms and traditional leadership.

The Ghanaian delegation includes the Supreme Leader of the Sister Kingdom Network and Ambassador for Africa with the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, Ambassador Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani; Managing Director of Kacstone Records, Wenawome Aborah Duriyem; and Public Relations Officer of Kacstone Records, Alexander Naaga Bombande.

Addressing participants at the Pitso, Ambassador Kplemani emphasised the need for African countries to place greater focus on cultural tourism and strengthen connections among Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.

“Our agenda as Africa has to do with its drivers; without the drivers of the industry, we can't make an impact.”

He said the growth of tourism in Africa would depend largely on the commitment and collaboration of key industry players, urging stakeholders to be deliberate in their efforts to develop the sector.

Ambassador Kplemani, who also serves as an Ambassador for Africa with the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, further cautioned that neglecting Africa's cultural tourism could undermine efforts to preserve and promote the continent's unique cultural and traditional heritage.

He called for stronger relationships among African communities, kingdoms and organisations to create investment opportunities and promote economic cooperation, including through initiatives such as the twinning of communities, kingdoms and institutions.

The Managing Director of Kacstone Records, Wenawome Aborah Duriyem, speaking during a panel discussion, called for greater youth participation in efforts to reshape the narrative around African tourism.

He urged stakeholders to take advantage of new media platforms to promote Africa's diverse cultures and strengthen connections among countries.

“We need to leverage the media to connect our countries and cultures, and build regional collaborations and cooperation that open our countries to bigger collaborations.”

Mr. Duriyem also advocated cultural exchange programmes between Ghana and Lesotho, saying such initiatives could deepen cultural tourism and strengthen African unity.

“This gathering is important for the growth of African tourism; we need to have regional collaboration in terms of diversity in culture and learn from each other's perspective of life.”

He further called on tourism industry players to collaborate on cross-border events across the continent.

“Industry players in the tourism sector should collaborate to have cross-border events in Ghana, Lesotho and other African countries.”

The Principal Secretary for the Lesotho Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Mantiti Khabo, expressed optimism about the country's tourism prospects, describing the sector as unique and fast-rising.

“We have a beautiful country, with attractive mountains good for adventure tourism, a rich culture and hospitable people.”

Mrs. Khabo also welcomed the participation of delegations from Ghana and other African countries, including Mozambique, saying their presence demonstrated the willingness of Africans to work together for the development of tourism, arts and culture.

As part of Ghanaian hospitality and cultural diplomacy, the Ghanaian delegation presented a traditional smock to the Minister for Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mputi Steven Mputi.

The presentation showcased the traditional northern Ghanaian garment as an important symbol of Ghana's cultural identity and formed part of efforts to promote cultural exchange and strengthen relations between Ghana and Lesotho.

The participation of Kacstone Records and the Sister Kingdom Network in the Lesotho Tourism Pitso forms part of broader efforts to promote African cultural heritage, tourism cooperation and cross-border partnerships among communities and institutions across the continent.