Executive Council
The visionary leadership steering the federation towards a sustainable and prosperous tourism future.
Seth Ocran
President Of The Ghana Tourism Federation
Seth Ocran's remarkable journey is a powerful testament to resilience, purpose, and unwavering self-belief. Rising from humble beginnings, he worked his way through various roles to become a national role model. Today, as Founder of YOKS Investments and President of GHATOF, he inspires a new generation of Ghanaians.
Chef Isaac Sackey
Vice President, GHATOF
Chef Isaac Sackey is a respected leader in Ghana's hospitality industry. He is committed to advancing the Federation's vision and promoting sustainable growth across the tourism sector.
Edith A. Pinamang
Treasurer of the Ghana Tourism Federation
An entrepreneur and business development consultant with extensive experience. Edith holds an MBA from the University of Ghana and is passionate about social impact and youth development.
Joseph A. Amartey
National Secretary of the Ghana Tourism Federation
A seasoned tourism development professional with over 19 years of experience in Ghana’s tourism and creative arts sector. He serves as National Secretary of the Ghana Tourism Federation and Executive Director of the Tourism Society of Ghana, and is the Youth Tourism Ambassador for Ghana, appointed by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Dr. Patricia Owusu-Darko
Member
Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Technology
Kumasi Technical University (KsTU)
Country President, Institute of Hospitality (IH) • Country Chairperson,
WITED
Dr. Patricia Owusu-Darko is a distinguished academic and Senior Lecturer
in the Department of Food Technology at Kumasi Technical University
(KsTU). She holds the distinction of being the first woman on the staff of
KsTU to attain a PhD, and stands as a leading figure in Food Science and
Technology and Hospitality education in Ghana.
EDUCATION & ACADEMIC CAREER
Dr. Owusu-Darko completed her secondary education at Aburi Girls’ Secondary School before earning a Bachelor
of Science and a Master of Philosophy in Biochemistry at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (KNUST). She obtained her PhD from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, United Kingdom,
where she also served as a Teaching and Research Assistant during her doctoral studies.
At Kumasi Technical University, she has held a series of key leadership positions:
■ First substantive Head, Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Department
■ Foundation Director, Office of International Affairs and Institutional Linkages
■ Foundation Dean, Graduate School
■ Deputy Director, Institute of Research, Innovation and Development
■ Programmes Coordinator, Institute of Distance and Continuing Education
She has additionally served on — and chaired — several statutory and ad hoc committees of the University.
CONTRIBUTIONS & EXPERTISE
Dr. Owusu-Darko has been influential in developing curricula for Food Technology, Hospitality and Tourism
programmes, playing a pivotal role in drafting syllabi approved by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
(GTEC). Her areas of expertise include Food Safety and Hygiene Training, post-production value addition of local
staples towards food security, and the development of lexicons for specific food products. Her wider interests
span Food Science and Technology, Hospitality Science, and Food Policy analysis and implementation.
■ Supervised over 500 postgraduate and undergraduate research projects, and served as external examiner
and assessor of promotional documents for various universities
■ Expert panel member for GTEC programme accreditation in Hospitality and Food Technology at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels
■ Accredited trainer, Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland — trained over 3,500 food handlers in the
formal and informal sectors in food hygiene, HACCP, and food and health
■ Organised several exhibitions on value addition of local staples and rebranding the Ghanaian food basket for
global relevance
■ Contributor to national and international discussions on food issues, gender, and tertiary education; published
in reputable journals and textbooks
PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
Dr. Owusu-Darko has served as a consultant and resource person for organisations including the Ghana
Tourism Authority, Nestlé, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. She has also served as an Adjunct
Senior Lecturer in Food Safety and Quality Management Systems at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of
Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), where she structured the syllabus for the Master
of Technology in Catering and Hospitality.
CURRENT POSITIONS & AFFILIATIONS
■ Country President — Institute of Hospitality (IH)
■ Country Chairperson — Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED); KsTU Chair of WITED
■ Country Ambassador — Global Harmonization Initiative
■ Member — Ghana Science Association; Ghana Association of Food Scientists and Technologists; Food
Authenticity, UK; Global Food Safety Initiative
VISION & ADVOCACY
Dr. Owusu-Darko is passionate about the highest standards of food authenticity and integrity, food safety, and
excellent hospitality-sector delivery. A committed advocate for the empowerment of women in hospitality and in
technical and vocational education, she continues to contribute significantly to conversations on food and
hospitality, women’s empowerment, and tertiary education development in Ghana and beyond.