Renowned Ghanaian cultural strategist, traditional diplomacy advocate, and founder of the Sister Kingdom Network, Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani, has been appointed Ambassador for Africa by the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN/Villages as Businesses), with endorsement from the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT).
The prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Kplemani’s outstanding contributions to African cultural unity, traditional leadership integration, creative industry development, cultural diplomacy, and strengthening ties between Africa and the global African Diaspora.
The appointment was jointly endorsed by Diana McIntyre-Pike, Founder and President of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses, alongside Ajay Prakash, President of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), and Dr. Louis D’Amore, Founder of IIPT.
In an official statement, the organizations commended Dr. Kplemani’s visionary leadership through the Sister Kingdom Network and his commitment to bringing together African kingdoms, chiefdoms, empires, traditional states, creatives, entrepreneurs, and communities through culture, tourism, and sustainable development initiatives.
Over the years, Dr. Kplemani has earned recognition for his efforts in expanding Africa’s digital music and entertainment ecosystem, building strategic cultural and entertainment partnerships across Africa and the Diaspora, and creating impactful platforms such as the Cultural Oneness Festival. He has also been instrumental in promoting African heritage preservation, economic empowerment through culture and tourism, traditional diplomacy, and Pan-African cooperation.
As Ambassador for Africa, Dr. Kplemani will serve as a strategic bridge connecting Africa, the Caribbean, and the global African Diaspora. His responsibilities will include supporting initiatives focused on peace through tourism, community tourism development, cultural exchange, youth empowerment, creative economy partnerships, heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism development.
Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Kplemani described the recognition as both an honour and a responsibility.
“Africa possesses extraordinary cultural wealth, traditional wisdom, and creative potential that can serve as powerful tools for peace-building, economic empowerment, and global unity. I look forward to working with communities, traditional authorities, creatives, and international partners to strengthen the bonds between Africa, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora through culture, tourism, and our shared heritage,” he stated.
Through this new leadership role, Dr. Kplemani is expected to promote the mission and values of both IIPT and CCTN/VAB across Africa and beyond. His work will involve facilitating partnerships, supporting community tourism projects, advancing cultural diplomacy, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and representing the organizations at international forums, conferences, festivals, and cultural missions.
The appointment reflects a shared commitment by the organizations to harness culture, tourism, heritage, and the creative industries as powerful tools for sustainable development, peace-building, and international cooperation.
About Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani
Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani is a distinguished Ghanaian cultural strategist, entrepreneur, and advocate for traditional diplomacy. As founder of the Sister Kingdom Network, he has dedicated his efforts to connecting traditional institutions, cultural organizations, creatives, and businesses across Africa and the Diaspora to promote cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and Pan-African collaboration.
About CCTN/Villages as Businesses
The Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN/Villages as Businesses) is an internationally recognized Jamaican organization committed to promoting community tourism, entrepreneurship, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable community development. Through its tourism marketing partner, Asterix Tourism, the organization markets authentic community lifestyle experiences and tours.
About the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT)
The International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) is a global organization dedicated to advancing peace, understanding, sustainable development, and international cooperation through tourism, culture, and education.
The appointment of Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani marks another significant step toward strengthening cultural ties between Africa and the global Diaspora while promoting tourism as a vehicle for peace, development, and shared prosperity.
