Ghana’s enterprising spirit delights South Africa
The ability of Ghanaians to create jobs for themselves is a trait South Africans greatly admire.
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At a recent interaction with the media in Accra, the Chief Marketing Officer of Brand South Africa, Linda Magapatona-Sangaret, said South Africans were often amazed at the enterprising machinery, though not necessarily coordinated, in place here that made people innovative and able to create their own livelihood.
“Ghana is a fantastic place. There are elections in November but whatever happens, you are still Ghanaians and still have the attributes that people everywhere admire about you. That is a solid brand that does not go away,” she stated.
Brand South Africa, an outfit within the South Africa Ministry of Communications, was in Ghana as part of a West African tour to meet stakeholders in the nation branding arena to discuss ways of collaborating to present a dynamic image of the continent to the rest of the world.
Nation branding aims to measure, build and manage the reputation of countries. Many nation brands usually promote and market their countries both as a tourism and investment destinations.
Madam Magapatona-Sangaret was accompanied by Brand South Africa’s General Manager for Africa and Middle East, Madam Sindiswa Mququ.
“We believe that the stronger and more prominent African nation brands are, the bigger Brand Africa itself is going to be. That is a priority for us, hence our visits and engagements all over the continent.
“Wherever we go, it is about what we can do together to take this continent forward and project the image that we want people to have of Africa and not allow other people to define us anymore,” Brand South Africa’s Chief Marketing Officer said.
She stated that Brand South Africa had in the past helped Brand Ghana to establish its image and formulate marketing strategies.
“We know Brand Ghana went through some challenges, including the loss of its CEO. After that, there was a bit of a gap so it is really about putting that machinery back into action and seeing how it can be taken to the next level,” said Madam Magapatona-Sangaret.
On the recent arrest, detention and deportation of three South African ex-policemen by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), the Brand South Africa official said the fact that Ghanaian security authorities questioned certain actions that involved South Africans did not mean a dip in the cordial relations between the two countries.
“Ghana is a country that South Africa admires and respects and that is how things still stand,” she pointed out.