When I shared the post on my Facebook timeline on December 29, 2023, advocating for Afua Asantewaa to be promptly appointed as a tourism ambassador, it was driven by her impressive background in tourism, culture, and the arts, coupled with her heroic achievement in completing a 5-day singing marathon for the Guinness World Records. I firmly believed that she possessed the potential to significantly enhance the tourism prospects of our country through a dedicated role in that capacity.
Little did I anticipate that my suggestion would materialize so swiftly. The announcement of Afua Asantewaa’s appointment as a Tourism Ambassador took place during the after-party held at the Akwaaba Village on the evening of Friday, December 29, 2023, marking the conclusion of her remarkable singing marathon.
The surprise on Afua’s face during the announcement was palpable, conveying her lack of prior knowledge about the appointment. Mr. Benjamin Anane Nsiah, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in charge of Administration at the Ghana Tourism Authority, took the stage to make the significant declaration.
“I am here as a representative of the Ghana Tourism Authority to appoint her, Auntie Afua, a tourism ambassador. That’s one of the things she is going to do. The details, you’re going to know. But you are going to be one of the people championing to the whole world that there is a country called Ghana, it’s a lovely place to be, they have great people who are resilient, who are tenacious, who have drive, who have talent,” he announced.
The symbolic act of wrapping a Ghana Flag around her shoulders followed this declaration, cementing her new role as a champion for Ghana’s tourism.
Afua Asantewaa’s extraordinary 5-day singing marathon, which commenced at midnight on Sunday, December 24, 2023, aimed to surpass the Guinness World Records’ longest singing marathon for an individual. She successfully completed the marathon at 7:00 am on Friday, December 29, 2023, having sung only Ghanaian songs throughout. The event drew widespread attention, attracting numerous attendees, including visitors to the country, celebrities, and public figures, all gathering to show their support during the festive season.
