Marketing Executive of Zaina Lodge, Mr. Eyram Amegashie, talks about how President John Dramani Mahama is promoting tourism in Ghana, tourism offers from Zaina Lodge, the Jollof rice fight between Nigerians and Ghanaians, among other issues. Charles Ajunwa brings excerpts
How is the current President promoting tourism in Ghana?
I think now more than ever, Ghana has been open to the rest of the world. We started with ‘A Year of Return’ from the previous administration. The current administration is hiring and spearheading the opening of Ghana even further. I don’t know if you heard about the ‘Momo’ conversation between Ghana and Nigeria. We are looking at expanding and opening up. The government is doing really well in this light. So Ghana can be that one destination for anybody who wants to travel and experience different cultures, different cuisine, and different people. Of course, Ghana is a place to be when it comes to hospitality.
Apart from nature, most tourists are looking out for the best the culinary. What do you have to offer?
Ours is traditional when it comes to food. And Ghana Jollof is the best.
Nigeria’s Jollof rice is the best.
You see, Ghana’s Jollof rice is the best. The taste of Ghana Jollof, it’s boiled and cooked as if you were in your own house. The culinary experience is such that you leave with a good taste in your mouth. It’s an adventure and a delightful journey. From our Jollof, to our Bangu, to our Fufu, to our Eto. We have all of that at Zaina Lodge and the Royal Senchi.
Nigerians and Ghanaians always fight over Jollof rice. Why?
The funny thing about the fight about Jollof rice is that it’s for neither of us. Apparently it’s from Senegal. But Ghana and Nigeria are such good siblings that we just want to have fun about it. I think that when it comes to the taste, Ghana definitely has the best. Nigeria has the numbers, but our food is just the best.
Can you talk more about Zaina Lodge?
Zaina Lodge, is Ghana’s exclusive safari lodge. It’s the best safari lodge in the whole of West Africa. We are looking at chalet tents the middle of wildlife. Elephants, buffalos, and recently we spotted some leopards. It’s an amazing adventure. So anybody that is looking for an escape, adventure, safari, Zaina Lodge really is the place to be. The food and everything is done specially to reflect Africa and the authenticity of Ghana especially. And we are calling out to everybody to come to Ghana, to Zaina Lodge to experience Ghana’s exclusive safari lodge.
What other offers do you have?
We have community tours as well. We take tourists on a wildlife safari with our rangers so they can experience wildlife first hand. We have community tours so you can create shea butter for yourself. We take tourists to a beautiful river in Mognori Village. You can experience all of that adventure whilst you are in Zaina. We have the Larabanga Mosque. It’s the oldest mosque in the whole of West Africa. So whenever you are there, we take you for that experience as well. Whilst at Zaina, you can have walking safaris at night where the rangers will taking you around and you will be seeing wildlife whilst walking with these expert guys. It’s just so amazing. Talking about it doesn’t do justice as much as you being there. So, yes, we are calling everybody to really come and experience this.
How many tourists visit Zaina in a year?
That is quite a lot. We can’t put a number to it. We just finished running a promo for the month of September. 4,000 Dollars for one person. All meals inclusive. You have airport transfers taken care of. Your safari and your ride is also free. Your accommodation for two people that will be like 4,999 Dollars. So all of that, is part of the package when you come to Zaina. Usually you have a lot of people, not just foreigners, but Africans who are into wildlife, who are into adventure, who are into safari. Come and experience all of this.
What is Zaina set out to achieve?
Usually, when you think about safari, the first thing that comes to your mind is Kenya or South Africa. But Zaina Lodge is crafted intentionally to show Africans that West Africa also has beautiful spaces. So you don’t need to travel outside to experience all of this. You can come home to Ghana and have all of this. Just as you would have been having all of this experience in Kenya or South Africa.
Zaina Lodge is a sister company to the Royal Senchi. For people that want to experience tranquility, luxury, and serenity, then the Royal Sench is the place for you.
As a hotel and resort, we are in the heart of nature. Just by the Volta River, which is the largest artificial river in the whole of Africa. We are looking at all of these 84 amazing rooms designed to face the river. So people who are looking for an escape can just come there and have the best time ever. The food is amazing and the people are friendly. The staff is excellent with hospitality. And we just can’t wait to have all of you come and experience this.
So, how is Zaina promoting tourism in Ghana?
In Ghana, so we highlight on traditional media and digital media. For traditional media, you are looking at all of the billboards, radio, ads, TV, the brochures as well. We also try as much as possible to do in-person marketing. Where we come for shows such as Africa Travel Markets, Africa Travel in Daba. Just so we could speak about Zaina Lodge and the Royal Senchi to everybody. Like I mentioned earlier, digital media, social media, Facebook, Instagram, and all of those platforms we use to highlight what we have.
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