A strategic meeting was held involving Prof. Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), alongside Chantal, Lein, and Elisha, to explore the evolving role of the GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The discussion centered on how the campus office can move beyond its traditional coordination role to become a key player in the organization and facilitation of conferences on campus, particularly those with strong tourism and diaspora engagement potential.
Prof. Kobby Mensah emphasized the growing interest from diaspora networks seeking to host and participate in “witness conferences” in Africa, with universities serving as credible and culturally rich venues. He highlighted the opportunity for the University of Ghana to position itself as a preferred destination for such engagements, leveraging both its academic prestige and tourism assets.
Prof Yaro at the far left and Prof Kobby Mensah (middle) and the far left Mr. Elisha of the College of Humanities(University of Ghana)
In response, Prof. Yaro noted that universities are increasingly looking to build international academic linkages, citing ongoing discussions with a Barbadian diplomat in Ghana to establish partnerships between the University of Ghana and institutions in Barbados. This, he explained, presents a natural pathway to attract joint conferences and academic exchanges that can be anchored on the Legon campus.
To make these conferences more appealing and accessible, Prof. Kobby Mensah proposed the development of thematic conferences that extend beyond purely academic discourse. He suggested practical and globally resonant themes such as civil rights, heritage, and identity—which have the potential to attract diaspora audiences and encourage broader participation.
Building on this, the Provost stressed the importance of a structured implementation approach, recommending the formation of a dedicated planning team to drive the initiative. This team would be responsible for setting conference calendars, aligning timelines, and integrating tourism packages into the conference experience.
A key part of the discussion also focused on curating on-campus and nearby attractions as part of the conference offering. Highlighted sites included the Legon Botanical Gardens, the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and the Legon Observatory Tower, all of which present unique opportunities for Legon as a tourism destination
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the need to define clear operational terms and frameworks to guide collaborations, partnerships, and execution. This would ensure that the GTDC Campus Office effectively positions itself as a bridge between academia and tourism, transforming the University of Ghana into a dynamic hub for conference tourism and diaspora engagement.
A strategic meeting was held involving Prof. Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Kobby Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), alongside Chantal, Lein, and Elisha, to explore the evolving role of the GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The discussion centered on how the campus office can move beyond its traditional coordination role to become a key player in the organization and facilitation of conferences on campus, particularly those with strong tourism and diaspora engagement potential.
Prof. Kobby Mensah emphasized the growing interest from diaspora networks seeking to host and participate in “witness conferences” in Africa, with universities serving as credible and culturally rich venues. He highlighted the opportunity for the University of Ghana to position itself as a preferred destination for such engagements, leveraging both its academic prestige and tourism assets.
Prof Yaro at the far left and Prof Kobby Mensah (middle) and the far left Mr. Elisha of the College of Humanities(University of Ghana)
In response, Prof. Yaro noted that universities are increasingly looking to build international academic linkages, citing ongoing discussions with a Barbadian diplomat in Ghana to establish partnerships between the University of Ghana and institutions in Barbados. This, he explained, presents a natural pathway to attract joint conferences and academic exchanges that can be anchored on the Legon campus.
To make these conferences more appealing and accessible, Prof. Kobby Mensah proposed the development of thematic conferences that extend beyond purely academic discourse. He suggested practical and globally resonant themes such as civil rights, heritage, and identity—which have the potential to attract diaspora audiences and encourage broader participation.
Building on this, the Provost stressed the importance of a structured implementation approach, recommending the formation of a dedicated planning team to drive the initiative. This team would be responsible for setting conference calendars, aligning timelines, and integrating tourism packages into the conference experience.
A key part of the discussion also focused on curating on-campus and nearby attractions as part of the conference offering. Highlighted sites included the Legon Botanical Gardens, the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and the Legon Observatory Tower, all of which present unique opportunities for Legon as a tourism destination
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the need to define clear operational terms and frameworks to guide collaborations, partnerships, and execution. This would ensure that the GTDC Campus Office effectively positions itself as a bridge between academia and tourism, transforming the University of Ghana into a dynamic hub for conference tourism and diaspora engagement.