His Royal Pamford, CEO of Street Gold Foundation, has issued a clarion call for urgent investment in Ghana’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, advocating for its development into the premier MICE hub in West Africa. Speaking at the launch of four flagship initiatives – MICE Africa Expo, Miss MICE Global, Heroes Award, and the Golden Experience Award – Pamford underscored the pivotal role of MICE in stimulating economic growth, bolstering tourism, and creating employment opportunities. He argued that while MICE possesses immense job creation potential, Ghana has yet to fully capitalize on this lucrative sector. A primary impediment, according to Pamford, is the dearth of world-class venues capable of accommodating large-scale events. He cited the dilapidated state of the Trade Fair Centre, which could have served this purpose, as a major setback hindering the sector’s growth. Beyond infrastructure limitations, Pamford also identified other challenges, including a lack of public awareness about MICE, insufficient marketing of Ghana’s tourism sector, and the absence of MICE-related education within the formal educational system.
Despite these hurdles, the Street Gold Foundation has been actively engaged in educating grassroots communities, women’s groups, and various organizations about the vast opportunities presented by the MICE sector. Pamford highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to empowering women through initiatives like Miss MICE Global, a platform designed to raise awareness and equip women to become advocates for MICE within their communities. Further demonstrating their commitment to youth engagement, the Foundation has also launched “Kids in MICE,” a program focused on establishing school clubs to promote cultural exchange and holiday tourism, and “Youth in MICE,” an initiative aimed at integrating MICE studies into tertiary curricula. These programs reflect the Foundation’s long-term vision of cultivating a robust MICE ecosystem in Ghana.
Echoing Pamford’s sentiments, Emmanuel Frimpong, President of the African Tourism Research Network, urged Ghana to prioritize MICE as a strategic tool for national development. He cited examples of countries that have successfully leveraged the MICE industry to expand employment opportunities, generate revenue, and enhance their tourism sectors. Frimpong emphasized the economic ripple effect generated by MICE events, explaining that the influx of businesses and individuals for conferences and exhibitions leads to increased spending within the local economy, benefiting various sectors like hospitality, transportation, and retail.
Frimpong further stressed the importance of Ghana integrating itself into global MICE networks to attract a greater share of international events. He argued that increased international participation would drive demand for hotels, conference venues, and related services, thereby stimulating further investment and growth within the sector. He reiterated the significant potential of MICE to contribute to national development, creating employment and generating revenue if given the necessary attention and investment.
The four flagship events launched by the Street Gold Foundation are strategically designed to elevate Ghana’s prominence within the MICE landscape. The MICE Africa Expo will serve as a vital platform for exhibitors and stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and showcase their offerings, while Miss MICE Global will focus on raising public awareness and promoting the sector’s potential. The Heroes Award and Golden Experience Award will recognize and celebrate the contributions of individuals across diverse sectors, emphasizing a commitment to acknowledging achievements during their lifetime. These initiatives collectively aim to create a vibrant MICE ecosystem in Ghana, attracting investment, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth.
The launch of these events also marks the tenth anniversary of the Street Gold Foundation’s dedicated work in promoting the MICE sector in Ghana. Over the past decade, the Foundation has played a crucial role in advocating for the industry’s development, raising awareness, and empowering individuals and communities to participate in its growth. As the Foundation celebrates this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to continuing its efforts to position Ghana as a leading MICE destination in West Africa, capitalizing on the sector’s potential to drive economic prosperity and create opportunities for all. The Foundation’s long-term vision is to see a thriving MICE industry that contributes significantly to Ghana’s national development agenda.
