The Upper East Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) will hold its regional tourism awards on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Akayet Hotel, as part of a nationwide directive for regional offices to organise awards ceremonies.
The event is themed “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders: The Black Star Experience.” It aims to recognise outstanding contributions in the tourism and hospitality sector while promoting the Upper East Region on the global stage.
Officials explained that the GTA has tasked its regional offices to organise these awards. Stakeholders and industry players will converge at the Akayet Hotel for the ceremony. The awards are intended to recognise excellence, market and promote the Upper East Region to make it more visible internationally, foster networking among practitioners in the same industry, and strengthen collective efforts to advance tourism in the region.
The awards are not entirely new. Similar recognition events have been held in previous years, with records indicating tracking of up to about 18 editions at some point. However, consistency was disrupted by COVID-19 and other challenges. This year’s edition marks a return to celebrating the regional awards under the national Black Star Experience focus.
The theme aligns with a directive from President John Dramani Mahama for the tourism industry to lead in projecting the Black Star Experience. This involves leveraging Ghana’s culture, traditions, and unique worldview to market the country and the African continent distinctively to the outside world. Organisers said Upper East is using the platform to exhibit its offerings and project the region onto the world map.
On the selection process, officials indicated two broad categories of criteria: a competitive category involving facilities and establishments, and another for ordinary or non-competitive recognition. Further details on assessment methods were being finalised.
The ceremony is expected to encourage greater participation, including the production of promotional videos, and serve as a platform for industry players to connect and push for improved tourism outcomes in the Upper East Region.
By Gayheart Abraham
Source:Mybluewavesonline.Com|Maurice Duncan |Bolgatanga
