Accra: Journalists in Ghana have received specialised training aimed at enhancing their skills in tourism, hospitality, and business reporting, through a programme organised by the Inter Tourism Expo Accra. The initiative, in collaboration with the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Programme, focused on equipping media professionals with strategic tools to promote Ghana's tourism potential through impactful storytelling.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Emmanuel Treku, CEO of Inter Tourism Expo Accra, emphasized the importance of the training in reshaping tourism reporting into a critical tool for national development. He noted that the feedback from participants indicated a significant shift in their understanding of the sector, which would lead to more structured and impactful storytelling. Mr. Treku is optimistic that the trained journalists will champion destination storytelling, thereby increasing the visibility of Ghana's tourism agenda on both local and international platforms.
The training session marked the beginning of a series of capacity-building initiatives, with plans for more training opportunities in the coming months. Mr. Treku also expressed gratitude to the management of Eden Gardens Hotel for their support in providing the venue and logistics for the programme.
Madam Rebecca Ekpe, Vice-President of the Ghana Journalists Association and Founder of the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Programme, encouraged journalists to move beyond routine reporting. She urged them to adopt narratives that inspire travel, attract investment, and project a positive image of Ghana globally. 'We are not just training journalists, we are building a movement,' she stated, highlighting the transformative power of a dedicated press corps.
Participants interviewed by the Ghana News Agency described the training as both timely and practical. They recommended future sessions focus on specialised areas such as destination marketing, investment reporting, and digital storytelling. A significant outcome of the training was the proposal to establish a Tourism Press Corps to foster ongoing collaboration and specialised coverage of the sector.