A new chapter in Ghana’s media and tourism development has been opened as the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Programme partnered with the Inter Tourism Expo to train a select group of journalists for the formation of a dedicated Tourism Press Corps.
The maiden initiative, held alongside the Expo, brought together emerging and practicing journalists for intensive training in tourism reporting, destination storytelling, and ethical coverage of Ghana’s cultural and heritage assets. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between media practice and tourism promotion, equipping journalists with the skills to position Ghana competitively on the global tourism map.
A Strategic Intervention for National Development
Organisers described the initiative as timely, given the increasing importance of tourism as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural diplomacy.
“This is more than a training programme—it is a strategic intervention,” said Rebecca Ekpe, founder of the mentorship programme. “We are building a new generation of journalists who understand that tourism reporting is not just about events, but about shaping national identity and economic opportunity.”
Participants underwent sessions on destination branding, multimedia storytelling, sustainable tourism, and policy reporting, facilitated by industry experts, editors, and tourism professionals.
Emerging Impact and Early Success
The immediate impact of the programme was evident in the quality of stories produced during the training. Participants developed compelling features on heritage sites, community tourism initiatives, and emerging travel experiences, many of which are already being considered for publication across major media platforms.
One participant described the experience as transformative:
“This training has completely changed how I approach tourism stories. I now see the sector as a powerful development tool, not just a lifestyle beat.”
Another trainee noted:
“We’ve gained not only skills but also access—access to networks, sources, and opportunities that will shape our careers.”
Building a Tourism Press Corps
A key outcome of the initiative is the establishment of a Tourism Press Corps—an organised network of trained journalists dedicated to consistent, professional, and impactful coverage of Ghana’s tourism sector.
According to organisers, the Corps will serve as a platform for collaboration, continuous learning, and advocacy, ensuring that tourism reporting meets global standards while remaining locally relevant.
Stakeholder Endorsement
Representatives of the Inter Tourism Expo commended the partnership, highlighting the critical role of the media in unlocking the sector’s full potential.
“Tourism thrives on visibility and credibility,” an Expo representative stated. “By investing in journalists, we are investing in the stories that will attract the world to Ghana.”
Some Impactful Feedback from Participants
- “This initiative proves that when you train the storyteller, you transform the story—and ultimately, the sector.”
- “Tourism is Ghana’s untapped narrative power. This programme is unlocking the voices that will tell it right.”
- “Professional tourism journalism is not a luxury; it is an economic necessity.”
- “What we are witnessing here is the birth of a specialised media force capable of shaping perceptions and driving investment.”
- “The Tourism Press Corps is not just a network—it is a movement to reposition Ghana through credible, compelling storytelling.”
- “If Ghana must compete globally, then our stories must meet global standards. This programme is delivering exactly that.”
- “This is how nations win attention—by training journalists who understand both the story and the strategy behind it.”
Looking Ahead
With strong feedback from participants and stakeholders, the partnership between the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Programme and the Inter Tourism Expo is expected to expand, with plans for regional training sessions, international collaborations, and digital storytelling platforms.
As Ghana continues to position tourism as a pillar of economic transformation, initiatives such as this are laying the foundation for a more professional, impactful, and globally competitive media landscape.
Brief Profile: Rebecca Ekpe
Rebecca Ekpe is a Ghanaian media professional, communications strategist, and mentor with a strong focus on journalism development, media innovation, and capacity building. She is widely recognised for her work in training and empowering emerging journalists, particularly through structured mentorship and industry-focused initiatives.
As the founder of the Rebecca Ekpe Mentorship Programme, she has led efforts to bridge the gap between academic journalism training and practical newsroom demands. Her programme emphasises ethical reporting, multimedia storytelling, and specialised beats such as tourism, development, and public interest journalism.
Rebecca Ekpe’s work is driven by a commitment to strengthening professionalism in Ghana’s media landscape. She advocates for responsible journalism, continuous learning, and the use of media as a tool for national development. Through partnerships with industry stakeholders, she has contributed to initiatives aimed at building niche reporting capacities, including the training of journalists for a Tourism Press Corps.
Her approach combines mentorship, strategic communication, and sector-focused training to equip journalists with the skills needed to operate in an evolving digital and global media environment.
Rebecca Ekpe has decades of experience in Journalism having received formal training from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now University of Media Arts and Communication-UniMAC) and the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, United States of America, where she graduated with a Masters Degree in Journalism and Information Technology.
Emmanuel Treku is a Ghanaian tourism development advocate, media professional, and the Executive Director of the Inter Tourism Expo. He is recognised for his leadership in promoting Ghana’s tourism sector through strategic platforms that connect industry stakeholders, investors, policymakers, and the media.
As Executive Director of Inter Tourism Expo, Emmanuel Treku has spearheaded initiatives that position tourism as a key driver of economic growth, cultural promotion, and international visibility. Under his leadership, the Expo has evolved into a dynamic forum for showcasing Ghana’s tourism potential, fostering partnerships, and encouraging investment across the value chain.
With a background that bridges media and tourism, he brings a strong understanding of storytelling, branding, and stakeholder engagement to the industry. He has been instrumental in advancing collaborations between the tourism sector and the media, including training programmes aimed at developing specialised journalism such as tourism reporting.
Emmanuel Treku is particularly committed to capacity building and innovation within the tourism ecosystem, advocating for sustainable tourism practices and the use of digital platforms to enhance destination marketing.
Through his decades of experience in the Tourism Ecosystem, Emmanuel Treku continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a more vibrant, competitive, and globally relevant tourism industry in Ghana.
