Joseph Chibu
The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), in collaboration with Ghana-based Safari Valley Resort and supported by Ibom Air, is set to host a four-day retreat aimed at promoting intra-African tourism and strengthening continental unity.
The retreat, themed “Africa for Africa: Tourism, Unity and Shared Growth,” is designed to address challenges affecting tourism, cultural exchange and movement across Africa, including xenophobic sentiments and trade barriers.
NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, said the initiative seeks to revive the spirit of African cooperation and encourage stronger partnerships between countries on the continent.
Folami noted that Nigeria and Ghana share a long history of collaboration rooted in the ideals of African unity, liberation and economic cooperation.
He described the retreat as more than a tourism event, but an opportunity to reinforce the shared identity of Africans connected by history, culture, trade and enterprise.
The NANTA President said discussions during the engagement would focus on improving the ease of movement across Africa, strengthening tourism partnerships and developing policies that encourage Africans to explore other countries on the continent.
He added that the association would also use the retreat to reflect on its future direction following its recent Jubilee celebration in Ibadan.
The event is expected to attract travel industry leaders, tourism stakeholders and policy advocates from Nigeria and Ghana to discuss ways of promoting seamless travel and cultural exchange.
Folami expressed optimism that the retreat would help reduce barriers to intra-African tourism and deepen cooperation between both countries.
The programme will also feature cultural activities, including a friendly Jollof Rice competition between Nigerian and Ghanaian participants, as part of efforts to celebrate shared heritage and strengthen people-to-people connections.