The Beacon of Hope in the Hospitality Industry: The Story of Mrs. Jael Akyeampong

The hospitality industry is one of the largest economic sectors in Ghana which helps to generate revenue for the country. Many of the industry players have over the years strived to position Ghana on a global scale in different dimensions and styles which stands unique in the African culture. Among the key players in this industry is a Certified Hotel General Manager (CHGM) and an award-winning female hospitality professional, Mrs. Jael Akyeampong.

Her years of experience and contributions to the Tourism and Hotel industry has earned her the position as the Director of Administration at the African Association of Women in Tourism & Hospitality (AAWTH), the Country Chairperson for G100, a group of significant women leaders from around the world with powerful advocacy, awareness, and effect across governments and worldwide organizations for a gender equal future, as well as the new Managing Director of RB PARK- HILL HOTEL Ghana.

Her works goes beyond the borders of Ghana with contributions in the Travel Agencies in the UK. Her journey began after successfully completing her internship with JW Marriott in Central London, where she equally worked with the Marriott Hotel Accra. She is also the visionary of “The Haven Honeymoon Concierge,” a Travel Company, and also the founder of “Teens Tourism & Hospitality Club.”

Her years of dedication and impact made in the industry has not left unnoticed but met with lots of appreciation and awards from different geographic settings.

Among these recognitions are: (Top Ten Hospitality Influencer Africa, Hospitality Awards Africa 2022, 100 Most Powerful Hospitality Female in Africa, International Hospitality Institute 2022, Most Outstanding Female in Hospitality, Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards 2022, Most Admired Female Hospitality Professional, Hospitality Awards Africa 2021, and Travel & Tourism Excellence Award,-College of Enfield, Haringey and North East London.

These achievements were not met without challenges. She recalls these moments as long and erratic hours, which witnessed evenings and overnight work to be a common feature in the hospitality management field. Promotions frequently entail moving as well as assuming new and time-consuming tasks.

As a generational person, her dream is to create branches of her travel company and become the preferred honeymoon space across the regions of Ghana, and to also become a role model to young women within the hospitality industry through the provision of coaching sessions and assisting them with their career paths. She believes that as women, we can change the world by empowering each other. She believes that in the next 5 years, she will own a Boutique Hotel in Ghana.

According to her, entrepreneurship is the strongest known economic factor in Ghana right now. In order to steer the next generation in the right way, we need more positive role models who can advocate for more wholesome principles, and to achieve this objective of having entrepreneurs emerge and have an impact on the next generation, the government must passionately support young people to develop their ideas and create businesses within our nation through various initiatives.

She therefore advice the youth from the adage, “in every caterpillar, there is a butterfly ready to stretch its wings, flourish, and soar to greatness.”

She believes that every young person has greatness inside them that is just waiting to be released, similar to a butterfly. By guiding a young person in creating goals and inspiring them, mentors can act as a source of support and direction in helping them to achieve greatness adding that, “find a mentor, a responsible adult who knows what is best for your well-being.”