By Joshua Bediako Koomson
The Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), has paid a high-level courtesy call on the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, to officially extend an invitation to the 4th African Marketing Confederation–Ticon Africa Conference. The meeting, held at the Jubilee House, also aimed to explore avenues for deeper collaboration between the government and the Institute to promote national development through marketing-led strategies.
Led by CIMG National President Michael Abbiw, the delegation included other senior officials of the Institute who briefed the Chief of Staff on CIMG’s recent achievements, current initiatives, and forward-looking agenda. The meeting underscored the Institute’s strategic intent to work hand-in-hand with the government in leveraging marketing and branding as tools to drive economic growth and national transformation.
Mr. Abbiw formally presented an invitation to Mr. Debrah to serve as a Special Guest at the forthcoming continental conference, which is scheduled to take place from August 20 to 22, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. The high-profile three-day event is being co-organised by the CIMG and the Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH). It will bring together marketing, ICT, and supply chain professionals from across Africa, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, innovations, and collaborative opportunities.
A major highlight of the conference will be the official launch of “Brand Africa” by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), positioning Ghana as a strategic host of global branding initiatives. The event is expected to catalyze efforts aimed at rebranding Africa to attract investment, tourism, and development partnerships.
Also present during the courtesy call were notable personalities including Mr. Seth Terkper, the Presidential Advisor on the Economy and former Minister of Finance, as well as Mr. Francis Dadzie, Global Alumni President of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). Their presence reflected the importance of the engagement and the broader implications for institutional collaboration.
In his address, Mr. Abbiw urged the Presidency to endorse the upcoming conference and lend its support toward facilitating the participation of President John Dramani Mahama. According to him, the presence of the President would lend significant credibility and international visibility to the event while reinforcing Ghana’s image as a hub for thought leadership in marketing and development.
“We are not only seeking your support for this event,” Mr. Abbiw stated, “but also proposing a long-term partnership with the Presidency to make marketing a cornerstone of national policy and economic advancement. Ghana stands to benefit immensely if our public institutions adopt marketing-led approaches in communication, policy engagement, and nation branding.”
During the meeting, Mr. Abbiw also shared exciting updates about a new international partnership between CIMG and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK (CIM UK). Under this collaboration, CIMG’s professional qualifications have now gained international recognition and equivalence through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. This means that Ghanaian professionals, as well as others across West Africa, can now acquire globally accredited marketing certifications at significantly reduced costs—an initiative expected to boost skills development and enhance the regional marketing landscape.
He further expressed CIMG’s readiness to collaborate on future editions of the Kwahu Business Forum, a national economic dialogue platform that has gained traction in recent years. Commending the Chief of Staff for the successful coordination of the 2024 edition, Mr. Abbiw noted the forum’s critical role in fostering public-private dialogue, building entrepreneurial networks, and promoting regional economic development.
He emphasized that the Institute is eager to bring its expertise in communication, branding, and stakeholder engagement to elevate the impact of the forum even further.
In response, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah expressed appreciation for the visit and praised CIMG for its unwavering dedication to promoting marketing excellence across the country. He highlighted the importance of strategic marketing and nation branding in enhancing Ghana’s visibility on the global stage and attracting investment into key sectors of the economy.
Mr. Debrah agreed that the role of marketing in governance and national development had been underestimated for far too long. “There is growing recognition that nations, like businesses, need branding and communication strategies to effectively compete and attract opportunities,” he said. “What CIMG is doing aligns well with our broader goals of building a resilient and forward-looking Ghanaian economy.”
Touching on the Kwahu Business Forum, Mr. Debrah revealed that the 2026 edition would be scaled up significantly and would feature a more diverse and inclusive lineup of industry exhibitions. He noted that the forum, to be held during the Easter period, would serve as a national platform for showcasing investment opportunities in sectors such as finance, insurance, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and food and beverage.
He assured the CIMG leadership of the Presidency’s readiness to support initiatives that align with national development priorities, especially those that enhance Ghana’s human capital, attract foreign investment, and drive entrepreneurship.
The meeting ended on a highly positive note, with both parties reaffirming their mutual commitment to deepening collaboration. CIMG and the Presidency pledged to continue working together to explore new ways of harnessing marketing expertise to meet Ghana’s evolving developmental goals.
With growing interest in the intersection of marketing and governance, this partnership between CIMG and the government could serve as a blueprint for other African nations looking to boost their global competitiveness through branding, innovation, and strategic communication.
As preparations for the August conference ramp up, stakeholders in marketing, government, and business circles are already looking forward to what promises to be a landmark event in Africa’s marketing calendar.
