Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
Versatile Radio Presenter and Tourism Consultant Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana has been named as a Tourism Ambassador for Ghana by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts.
Abeiku Santana was presented with the honour at the media launch for the upcoming Ghana carnival on Tuesday May 17, 2016. The Okay FM drive time host joins John Dumelo and child actor Abraham Attah as Ghana’s tourism ambassadors.
Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare who made the official announcement this afternoon at Coconut Groove Regency hotel, said she has observed Abeiku Santana’s contribution in the tourism sector and she and her ministry believe he would change the face of tourism in Ghana.
The renowned Broadcaster Abeiku Santana in his acceptance speech disclosed that the business part of Africa’s tourism potential is very viable but it is underutilized across the continent and he is going to use his position as a national tourism ambassador to market and promote Ghanaian rich tourism sector.
Abeiku, who is currently pursuing Masters in Tourism Management at the Cape Coast University in the Central Region, told Nkonkonsa.com that he is now into business and tourism consultation.
Explaining why he decided to take a Masters course in Tourism Management, the Okay FM drive time host said he is very passionate about African tourism, how to develop it, create jobs and make it more attractive to tourists from all over the world.
“Youth entrepreneurship is the new birth for developing Africa’s economies. Economic empowerment is the independence that we want . Let’s support Ghanaians and Africa’s indigenous businesses. Education is the best way to explore opportunities that lies ahead of you”.
According to Abeiku, Africa as continent, is heavily endowed with breathtaking tourist attractions and after traveling across the continent and visiting various tourist sites, he believe tourism is the way to go.
“I advice on media strategy, media buying, media monitoring, advocacy campaigns, marketing and advertising, events and promotion. Promoting Africa’s economic integration through trade, tourism, arts, culture and entertainment is my priority right now. So far I have worked with countries like Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa on tourism”.
Abeiku Santana is a natural sales and marketing specialist. He started from Primary to Upper Six, selling fast moving consumables goods for Lever Brothers with his mother.
He did his service with National Archives and got involved in radio from Koforidua’s Radio Z to Radio Mercury and then was poached by Ash FM to be Assistant Head of Programs. At Radio Z, he became the studio manager because of his principles and strict adherence to ethics.
At Ash FM, he became the marketing and sales supervisor, doubled as a newscaster and drive time host. He took a course at Ghana Institute of Journalism in PR and Advertising from 1998-1999. He left Ghana to three countries in Europe, came back and was poached by multimedia to revive Adom FM.
He changed the face of drive time radio in three months. He left in 2004 to New York Paralegal School, and returned to multimedia as Head of music programs and Events and promotions coordinator.
Abeiku Santana is the CEO of Strategic Communications Limited, Managing Partner of OFM in Obuasi and Managing Director for Kaya Services Limited. He is happily married to Genevieve Aggrey, HR Manager at Barclays Bank and the Organising Secretary of Ghana National College.
He won the brand activation program of the year at CIMG Marketing Awards 2015 for “Kasapreko ALOMO Sankwan” and has provided public education sensitization works for corporate, local and multinational businesses for over a decade.
He is currently host of the biggest radio drivetime show “Ekwanso dwoodwoo” on Okay101.7FM in Accra.
Source: NKONKONSA.com
