On Friday, 18 September, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) awarded a Special Honorary Award to Volta Regional Minister James Gunu during the 2026 Volta Regional Tourism Awards held in Ho. The ceremony celebrated the region’s progress in tourism and investment under Gunu’s leadership.
The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders – The Blackstar Experience,” highlighted the minister’s support for preserving Ewe cultural identity and engaging the Volta Diaspora through investment, skills transfer and development partnerships.
Deputy Chief Executive, General Service, GTA Ben Anane‑Nsiah presented the citation, noting Gunu’s comprehensive vision for the region’s future and his advocacy for showcasing Volta’s natural, cultural and historical assets. “Through your leadership, advocacy, and support for initiatives that showcase the Volta Region’s natural, cultural and historical assets, you continue to aspire local pride, encourage domestic tourism and promote the region as a destination of immense potential,” the citation read.
Acting Volta Regional Director of GTA Roberta Okine‑Fumador added,
“We must also embrace digital innovation, invest in skills development, improve accessibility and strengthen partnerships among government, the private sector, traditional authorities, communities, and development partners.”She stressed that tourism’s future depends on collective efforts to tell the region’s story authentically and create memorable experiences for visitors.
Paramount Chief of Akoefe, Togbe Drake Tsigbe IV, chairing the function, reminded attendees that peace and unity are essential for successful tourism promotion.
More than 20 hotel operators, car rental services, tour guides, traditional catering services, digital tourism firms and corporate organisations were also honoured at the ceremony.
