The management and staff of Accra-based Citi TV and Citi FM, have earned praises for earnestly showcasing Ghana’s rich culture through their Heritage Month Celebrations, which has been in session for nearly 15 years.
At the launch of this year’s event on Monday, speaker after speaker, including Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, expressed their delight at the media house’s commitment in telling the country’s story through its stunning art and culture.
This year’s launch, took place at the forecourt of Citi TV at Tesano in Accra, and will among other things, see the promotion of wearing made Ghana clothes, eating Ghanaian foods, as well as a 7-day tour of 13 out of the 16 regions across the country.
The Herald’s information is that, the trip with over 150 people, even before launch, was fully booked with some regular patrons disappointed for turning up late.
The Heritage Month which is being organized is in partnership with the European Union, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the National Film Authority and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).
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This initiative which begins on February 27, 2023 and will last till the end of March is themed “Make it Ghana”.
Speaking at the launch, the managing director of Citi TV and Citi FM, Samuel Attah-Mensah, made it known that, throughout the month of March, there will be an itinerary of historical and cultural significant activities to project the Ghanaian heritage.
According to him, this is an annual celebration where they promote Ghana’s rich and traditions including music, food and fashion are displayed to market the country, both locally and internationally.
The tour of the country, which is a road trip dubbed “Heritage Caravan”, is to give patrons a lifetime opportunity to travel outside Accra and discover Ghana in seven fantastic days from March 4 to 11.
Also, between March 25-26, 2023, there will be the “Back to your village food bazaar’, a two-day display of indigenous food and beverages.
The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who did the launch, also congratulated the management and staff of Citi FM and Citi TV for keeping faith with the agenda to promote Ghanaian culture by pushing the country’s domestic tourism a notch higher.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase- Ayirebi in the Eastern Region, urged Ghanaians together with their families to take interest in the Heritage Month, especially the road trip to enable them to have access to different opportunities and investments.
“This year, it’s exciting to see that, as we collectively strive to push the tourism potential of the country, you [Citi TV and Citi FM] are already pushing the domestic tourism agenda a notch higher with the Heritage Month. I want to commend you for doing that. My expectation is that a lot of our colleagues who watch and listen will take their loved ones to visit Ghana, as you tour Ghana. I want to congratulate you and celebrate you,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Film Authority, Juliet Asante, spoke about how there can be collaborations between musicians and filmmakers to positively project Ghana.
According to her, the film industry is looking for opportunities to showcase the country not just to the world, but also to Ghanaians, because they have realized that Ghanaians do not know much about the country, particularly its beautiful scenery.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTA, Akwasi Agyeman, was full of praise for the media organization.
He disclosed that the few years the GTA has partnered with Citi TV and FM, it has witnessed an immense growth in tourism numbers, especially when it comes to domestic tourism.
According to Mr Agyeman, this partnership with Citi TV and FM, has showcased what Ghana has; the beautiful people of Ghana, the rich culture, the diversity of the country and also the various tourist sites and attractions.
He went ahead to say that, as they go along to celebrate ‘The Heritage Month’, they will also bring onboard many more like-minded partners to ensure that they can build a Ghana that they will all be proud of.
“I believe this partnership with Citi TV and Citi FM is a partnership made from heaven… A few years ago, when we joined forces with Citi FM on Heritage Month, we ourselves have seen the evidence of what great partnership can bring to the table… We have seen growth in our tourism numbers – especially when it comes to domestic tourism”.
“This time, as we make it Ghana, all the three pillars; Tourism, Investment and Film are going to benefit from this incredible partnership. It is also a partnership that also showcases what we have; the beautiful people of Ghana, our culture, the diversity of the country and the various tourism sites and attractions that we have,” he added.
