By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Mar. 07, GNA – Mr George Ankrah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dome Chateau, an Airbnb and tour company, has encouraged Africans in the diaspora to visit Ghana frequently experience the country’s rich culture, hospitality and historical linkages.
In a conversation at Labadi Beach in Accra, with a group of American tourists from Stress Free Travel Inc., a Philadelphia-based travel agency, Mr Ankrah said Ghana was a home for all Africans, urging those abroad to reconnect with their roots.
“The best way to understand Ghana is to experience it. The hospitality, the culture, the history and the warmth of the people are things you cannot fully grasp from a distance—you have to be here,” he said.
The group, led by Madam Helen Jones Goodwin, had been in Ghana for six days and chose to mark Ghana’s Independence Day on Thursday by relaxing at the beach, mingling with locals, and soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Ghana’s Independence Day, celebrated every March 6, is a moment of national pride, marking the country’s liberation from colonial rule in 1957 under the leadership of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
While previous years featured grand parades at the Black Star Square, this year’s celebrations were scaled down due to budget constraints, with a modest ceremony at the presidency, where President John Dramani Mahama addressed the nation.
Despite the toned-down official event, the beaches were filled with hundreds of people celebrating in their own unique way.
Families and tourists alike basked in the sun and the sea breeze. Others danced to music, played football, swam in the warm sea, rode quad bikes and horses.
While some vendors wove through the crowd, offering fresh coconuts, snacks, and chilled beverages, others had strategically set up grills, luring customers with the irresistible aroma of sizzling delicacies.
For Mr Ankrah, these scenes reflected the essence of Ghana’s tourism appeal—a blend of history, relaxation and cultural immersion.
“We’ve been running these trips for almost eight years now, and one of my dreams when I lived in the U.S. for 35 years was to bring as many Americans to Ghana as possible. Now, I’m doing that, and I see people keep coming back,” he said.
The CEO highlighted Ghana’s safety and peaceful atmosphere as key reasons why the country was an ideal destination for tourists.
“Ghana is almost the safest country in the world. No violence, no fighting. It’s a peaceful country. I always tell my friends and family from Philadelphia, Delaware, Virginia, D.C., New York—they all have to visit,” he added.
Reflecting on Ghana’s independence and the legacy of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr Ankrah stressed the need for African unity.
“One of the qualities Nkrumah had, which I always say Africans must learn from, is unity. If we can unite, we can do a lot together. Without unity, we won’t go far. That was his dream, and that should be our dream as well,” he said.
Madam Goodwin, like other members of the team who are visiting Ghana for the first time, said the trip exceeded her expectations.
“Whatever we expected, we received. Some people thought they would see wild animals running around, but Ghana is beautiful. It feels like coming home,” she said.
She recounted how Mr Ankrah and his wife, Dana, introduced her to Ghana and convinced her to organise the trip.
“I had no initial interest in coming to Ghana, but after speaking with them and learning about the country, I was inspired. And now that I’m here, I see how friendly and hardworking the people are. I love how they sell their goods, how they interact—it’s inspiring,” she added.
The group from Stress Free Travel Inc. is set to depart Ghana on Friday, but Madam Goodwin is already looking forward to returning.
“I will come back again, and all of us will come back again,” she said with a smile.
GNA