Ghana’s tourism industry has been hit by a painful loss following the death of Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a member of the Ghana Tourism Authority’s Governing Board and an influential advocate for stronger connections between Africa and its global diaspora.
Prince Anthony reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, at his private residence in Spintex, Accra. The cause of his death was not disclosed in the initial reports.
His passing comes less than a year after he was appointed to the GTA Governing Board under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration. The board was inaugurated in August 2025 and tasked with helping reposition Ghana as a competitive international tourism destination.
Widely known as Prince Anthony, the former British Army officer and member of the Akwamu royal family devoted much of his public life to promoting Ghanaian culture, heritage tourism and meaningful engagement with people of African descent living abroad.
He was recognised as one of the important figures associated with Ghana’s historic Year of Return initiative, which encouraged members of the African diaspora to visit Ghana, reconnect with their heritage and explore cultural and investment opportunities.
Beyond his work with the Tourism Authority, Prince Anthony served as chief executive of BridgeZone Global, an organisation focused on strengthening cultural, educational and economic ties between Africa and diaspora communities. His initiatives sought to present Ghana not merely as a holiday destination, but as a spiritual and cultural home for people of African ancestry.
His influence also extended into international cultural diplomacy. Through engagements across the United States, Latin America and other regions, he promoted Ghanaian heritage while creating platforms for tourism, education and investment partnerships.
The Ghana Tourism Authority has described his passing as a significant loss to the industry and extended condolences to his family and loved ones.
Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah leaves behind a legacy built on service, cultural pride and a passionate desire to reconnect Africa with its scattered family across the world.
Ghana has lost more than a tourism strategist—it has lost a committed bridge-builder whose work carried the nation’s story far beyond its borders.
