By Hafsa Obeng / Christabel Kporvie, GNA
Accra, Sept. 22, GNA – The Tourism Society of Ghana (TOSOGHA), in partnership with Williamson Media Group, She Empowerment Global and Grace Compassion Foundation, has donated feminine hygiene products and sponsored Liberty Cards to students of the Osu Presbyterian Girls Basic School in Accra.
The initiative formed part of the society’s efforts to promote tourism education among young people while supporting the educational and personal development of the girl child.
Mr Joseph Armah Amartey, Executive Director of TOSOGHA and Youth Tourism Ambassador for Ghana, said the initiative was in line with the society’s mandate to establish tourism clubs in schools across the country.
He said the Osu Presbyterian Girls Basic School was among schools with a tourism club and had benefited from the support of Dr Cheryl Polote Williamson, who had adopted the school.
Mr Amartey said Dr Williamson had supported the students with feminine hygiene products to help address challenges that could prevent them from attending school during their menstrual periods.
He said TOSOGHA had also introduced the Liberty Card as a travel companion for members of its tourism clubs nationwide.
According to him, the card allowed students to visit selected tourism attractions with which TOSOGHA had partnered, free of charge.
He said the initiative was aimed at encouraging young Ghanaians to develop patriotism, appreciate the country’s tourism resources and promote domestic tourism.
Dr Cheryl Polote Williamson, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Williamson Media Group, LLC and Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC, said she adopted the school about two years ago and had since remained committed to supporting its development.
She said the Liberty Cards would enable students to visit historical and tourism sites, learn about Ghana’s history, and culture, and explore careers in tourism and hospitality.
Dr Williamson said the donation of sanitary products was also important because some girls sometimes missed school when they did not have access to sanitary pads.
“Education is the key to unlocking the future that they want, and I want to be a part of that,” she said.
She said her support for the school extended beyond sanitary products and Liberty Cards, having also provided books, meals, and other resources, as well as supported the painting of the school’s frontage ahead of its graduation ceremony.
Dr Williamson said she planned to visit about seven to 10 schools during her next visit to Ghana on October 19 as part of efforts to extend her support to more students.
“My ultimate goal is for every student to have a Liberty Card so that they can pursue the life of their dreams,” she said.
Mr Seth Ocran, President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), said the initiative would help introduce young people to tourism and encourage them to appreciate Ghana’s culture and heritage.
He said TOSOGHA’s efforts to establish tourism clubs in schools and promote domestic tourism among students deserved support.
Mr Ocran said exposing students to Ghana’s tourism attractions, history and culture could deepen their appreciation of the country and encourage them to participate in domestic tourism.
He also called for a review of the education curriculum to prepare students for changing employment opportunities, particularly in view of developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He said academia and industry needed to collaborate to identify the skills students would require in the future.
“We should really look at what we are teaching the children now because if we teach them now, in five years from now, their expertise might not be needed,” he said.
Mr Ocran urged tourism stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, tour guides, car rental operators, and traditional caterers, to collaborate to make domestic tourism more affordable for young people.
He said such collaboration would enable students to travel during vacations, experience Ghana’s diverse cultures and learn about the country’s heritage from traditional authorities and other custodians of culture.
He said GHATOF would continue to support initiatives that connected tourism stakeholders and encouraged young people to participate in tourism.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporters: Hafsa Obeng / Christabel Kporvie
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