Ester Mbathera
Namibia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has provided evidence detailing a series of tourism promotional events facilitated by the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) in partnership with the Ghanaian company Hype.UP Limited.
In a letter dated 31 January, addressed to the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Penda Naanda, Ashipala-Musavyi contradicted NTB’s claims that no valid contracts existed or that no services were delivered.
According to her, the High Commission actively participated in and facilitated tourism promotional activities through NTB and Hype.UP Limited in Accra, Ghana.
The first event was a destination presentation and networking session held in April 2023 at +233 Lounge, on the margins of the 53rd General Assembly of the World Trade Centre Association.
The event was officiated by industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Ipumbu. That same month, former NTB chief executive Digu //Naobeb and Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Sebulon Chicalu, met with Ghana’s then Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, in Accra.
Between September and November 2023, three additional events were held.
These included the Cinema and Tourism Week at Black Stars Square and Mövenpick Hotel, Namibia’s Destination Promotional Night at +233 Lounge, and the filming of promotional videos and media interviews for the “November in Namibia” campaign.
The campaign was officially launched with a pilot send-off ceremony for its first participants.
In March 2024, another Cinema Night was hosted at Ghana Club, showcasing Namibian tourism promotional videos and films.
However, the planned November 2024 edition of the “November in Namibia” campaign was postponed due to Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November.
On Wednesday, the Windhoek Observer reported that former NTB chief executive //Naobeb challenged NTB’s version of events, particularly regarding whether officials knowingly engaged with Hype.UP and later failed to settle payments.
In December 2024, Hype.UP Limited filed a criminal charge against NTB with the Ghana Police Service, alleging fraud over unpaid contracts amounting to US$51 123.92 (N$957 909.91).
//Naobeb has also demanded proof of corruption allegations against him and urged NTB to take accountability.
Meanwhile, NTB has extended Charmain Matheus’ contract as acting chief executive from 3 February to 28 February.
The Windhoek Observer has learnt that Chicalu is being considered for the position of substantive chief executive at NTB.
However, NTB board chairperson Olavi Hamwele dismissed this.
“NTB has not yet appointed a substantive CEO,” said Hamwele.
Chicalu was in contention for the position alongside former NTB acting chief executive Bonnie Mbidzo and House48 Hub and Economist country director Namene Kalili.
