The Ghana tourism industry is mourning the loss of one of its leading figures following the death of Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a key architect of the country’s flagship Year of Return campaign.
Prince Anthony passed away in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, at his private residence in Spintex, Accra.
He was serving as a member of the Board of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), a position he had held since 2025, where he continued to contribute to the growth and promotion of Ghana’s tourism sector.
A former British Army officer and a royal of the Akwamu clan, Prince Anthony was widely respected for his role in connecting Ghana with the African diaspora.
He played an instrumental role in developing and promoting the Year of Return initiative, the landmark tourism campaign that attracted thousands of people of African descent from across the world to Ghana and positioned the country as a leading heritage tourism destination.
Beyond his work with the Ghana Tourism Authority, Prince Anthony was the Chief Executive Officer of Bridgezone, an agency dedicated to promoting Africa to Western audiences and strengthening cultural and economic ties between Africa and the diaspora.
Through his work, he championed initiatives that showcased Ghana’s history, culture and investment opportunities to the international community.
In a statement, the Ghana Tourism Authority described his death as a significant loss to the tourism industry and extended its condolences to his family.
