Could you please brief us on your professional background before taking over your position as the Director of Accra International Conference Centre?
I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 1965 and have worked in various capacities both at the Ministry and at our Diplomatic Missions. I have had quite a few postings. I was posted to Ghana’s Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1966 to 1970; to our High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya, from 1972 to 1976; to Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations’ Office in Geneva, from 1980 to 1984; Ghana’s Embassy in Luanda, Angola, from 1989 to 1994; and back to Switzerland, this time at Ghana’s Embassy in Berne, from 1996 to 2000.
What positions did you hold?
For the sake of brevity I’ll focus on my functions at my last two posts. In Luanda where I was First Secretary, I had responsibility under the authority of the Ambassador, for political, economic and trade matters; for the day-to-day administration of the Embassy as well as for Consular matters.
In Bern, where I was Counsellor, I exercised under the authority of the Ambassador, similar functions but within a different context, that is, the context of Ghana’s bilateral relations with Switzerland. I also acted on a few occasions as Chargé d’Affaires a. i. in the absence of the Ambassador. The Embassy in Berne was also concurrently accredited to the Federal Republic of Austria and the Holy See (Vatican). I therefore, had the opportunity of visiting Vienna and the Holy See in the performance of my functions. The performance of my functions required both diplomatic and administrative skills.
Could you please brief us on the history behind the Conference Centre?
The Accra International Conference Centre (A. I. C. C.) was constructed in 1990 to host the tenth (10th) Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (N. A. M.), which took place in Accra in September, 1991. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was charged with the preparation of that Meeting. The Ministry subsequently assumed the responsibility for the running of the Centre.
In 1992, the Centre was formally designated the Accra International Conference Centre. An Interim Management Committee was established to take charge of the activities at the Centre, as well as administer it. The Management is described as Interim because it is the intention of the Government to look for an investor to construct a hotel that would be attached to the Centre.
What is the turn over of the Centre?
On the average, the Centre’s revenue has been of the order of 1.8 billion cedis per annum. Almost all of the revenue is expended on the Centre’s maintenance and general development. The Centre receives no financial support from the Government. It is entirely self-financing.
| Considering the Hotel Complex Project, was this an initiative of the Government? What is currently happening to the project?
The project was an initiative of the Government. The sod-cutting ceremony took place in November 1999 and in spite of the time lag, we hope that the project will take off sooner than later.
What amount of investment are we talking about?
It might be inappropriate to state categorically at this time, the volume of investment. As you are aware, the volume of investment and the coverage of the investment in terms of the facilities to be provided in such a complex would be the subject of negotiation.
How do you compete with the other international conference centres in the region?
We are quite competitive both in terms of the facilities we offer and the rates at which they are offered.
Is the Centre fully booked for this year?
The Centre is almost fully booked for the year.
How do you promote the Conference Centre to the outside world?
Ghana’s Diplomatic Missions abroad disseminate information on the Centre. The Centre is also advertised on the Internet. This interview will also contribute to the dissemination of information about the Centre.
What message would you address to the international business community?
I take this opportunity to invite all institutions, to make the Accra International Conference Centre their meeting place. The Centre disposes of the state of the art facilities not only in terms of the efficient organisation and management of conferences and other meetings, but also for exhibitions, theatrical shows, and celebrations. It is within easy reach of the city’s hotels and commercial centre, as well as places of historic and artistic interest. In addition, Ghana’s proverbial hospitality reinforces the pleasant environment and atmosphere of the Centre.
|
