Ambassador Nancy Q. Sam, President of Women in Tourism Ghana, was recently honoured with a special honorary award at the fifth edition of the Africa Event Awards. 

This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon Ambassador Nancy Q. Sam on September 22, 2023, during an event held at the residence of South Africa's High Commissioner. 

The award acknowledges her exceptional contributions to the promotion of tourism and her unwavering dedication to fostering international cooperation.

The citation accompanying the award noted, "Your dedication to promoting and enhancing the tourism industry in Africa. And also played a significant role in driving economic growth and fostering international relations."

According to the citation, her "innovative approaches, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to excellence have set a remarkable standard for the tourism sector. 

''Your passion for creating memorable experiences for travellers and your ability to highlight the unique offerings of Africa have truly made a lasting impact. 

"We believe that your accomplishments deserve the highest acclaim, and it is with great honour that we present you with this special honouring."

"This recognition is a token of our appreciation for your invaluable contributions to the tourism industry and the continent as a whole," the citation concluded.

The Africa Event Awards, previously known as the Ghana Event Awards, was established in 2016 to recognise the outstanding efforts of African event managers and organisers in curating impactful and memorable event experiences across the continent.

It also aims to bring together industry professionals, stakeholders, planners, hosts, promoters, and suppliers to receive well-deserved recognition.

This awards ceremony, organised by Event Guide Africa in partnership with the South African High Commission, gathered both emerging and established entertainers, industry players, and influencers who have significantly contributed to the growth of Africa's event industry.

Ambassador Nancy Q. Sam, a veteran with over three decades of experience in the field, received the prestigious Africa Events Award for her exceptional contributions to tourism promotion and her tireless efforts in showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of Ghana and Africa. 

She is also the Vice President of the Economic Community for the West African States (ECOWAS) Tourism Private Sector Confederation (COPITUR-ECOWAS) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Staple Travel and Tours, a leading company in Accra.

Additionally, she has served as the President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) for two terms.

In her acceptance speech, Ambassador Nancy Sam, who also serves as The Tourism Ambassador for Miami Dade County USA, expressed her gratitude to the awards organisers for recognizing her modest contributions. 

She dedicated the award to the countless women who have significantly contributed to the development of the tourism sector.

On his part, Kelvin Kenneth, the CEO of the Africa Event Awards, emphasised the significance of this year's event, highlighting the remarkable talent and unwavering dedication of event planners, coordinators, and organisers from across the continent. 

He praised Ambassador Nancy Sam for her commitment to excellence in the face of challenges.

The winners in each category were determined through public votes via a voting portal.

The Africa Events Awards Gala not only showcased the glamour of the events industry but also celebrated the profound impact of individuals like Ambassador Nancy Sam who are making a difference on the global stage