S.E.F. Board

Member

Mrs. Stella W. Appenteng is a result-driven tourism professional with over three decades of experience in the industry. Her career is marked by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. Stella's expertise spans product development, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, making her a respected figure in Ghana's tourism sector.

Stella's journey in tourism began with her role as a Product Manager at Brain Monro Ghana Ltd from 1976 to 1985. She then transitioned to the role of Medical Representative at Asubonteng Brothers Ltd in 1973. Her passion for tourism and hospitality led her to pursue further education in Marketing & Product Development in Cirencester, UK, and MDPI in 1976. She also trained as a Nurse Midwife at the Royal Free Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London from 1966 to 1972.

Her leadership skills were soon recognized, and she served as the Vice President and later President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana from 2000 to 2010. During this time, she also held the position of President of the Ghana Tourism Federation from 2006 to 2010. Stella's dedication to the industry was further demonstrated through her role as a Board Member of the Ghana Tourism Authority from 2010 to 2012.

In 2012, Stella took on the role of Chairperson at Apstar Tours Limited, where she spearheaded the growth and development of the company. Her efforts in promoting sustainable tourism practices were recognized when she became a Trustee Member of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust in 2018. She also served as the President of Skal International, Accra Club, fostering networking opportunities and collaboration among tourism professionals in Accra.

Stella's contributions to the tourism industry were not limited to her professional roles. She played a pivotal role in the Domestic Tourism Awareness Programme initiated by the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA). Her expertise was also sought after in international collaborations, such as the CBI Training Programme Expert Coaching Programme Tourism, sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and her work with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) development.

Her achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the CTW Award 2015 from the China Outbound Tourist Research Institute (COTRI) for product innovation, the Travelife Partner Sustainability Certificate at ITB in Berlin in 2019, and the Africa Travel Market Winner of Africa Travel 100 Tour Operators in 2018 and Top Women in 2017. She also received the Ghana Tourism Authority Greater Accra Regional Tourism Awards Honorary Award in 2016 and the Silver Award in the Tour Operator Category at the 9th Business and Financial Services Excellence Awards in 2016.

Stella's commitment to preserving Ghana's cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism practices is evident in her role as Director of the Akuffo Heritage Foundation since 2019. Her leadership and dedication continue to inspire and drive the tourism industry in Ghana.