About Essel Blankson
Kwesi Essel-Blankson is an experienced museum educator and tour guide par excellence. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Tourism Management from the University of Cape Coast. Blankson as he is known by all, is an absolute definition of a Philomath; with a passion for knowledge and principled core values, he has distinguished himself as a first class professional in Ghana’s heritage tourism industry.
As an award winning tour guide, his reputation as a true ambassador of Ghanaian culture and West African history precedes him, having had the privilege of guiding renowned dignitaries such as the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former First Lady Melania Trump and an array of very important personalities through the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
His thirst for knowledge led him to train as a teacher “so I could teach myself”. He completed the renowned Presbyterian Training College, Akropong Akuapim with Teacher’s Certificate “A” and later obtained a degree and a post-graduate degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Cape Coast, with a Master’s thesis focused on professionalism in tour guiding practices.
He has attended several seminars and workshops to support and develop his professional career
- Entrepreneurship for World Heritage Field Project; African World Heritage Fund, Center for Heritage Development in Africa; Livingston, Zambia; September, 2014
- Entrepreneurship for World Heritage Sites; African World Heritage Fund, Center for Heritage Development in Africa, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; hosted by G.M.M.B., Cape Coast Castle, Ghana, May, 2014
- International Visitor Leadership Program on Museum Management in the U.S.; Funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; U.S.A, April-May, 2014
- Theory and Methodology of Protection, Conservation and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage, Ricerca e Cooperazione, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Associazione Giovanni Secco Suardo- Accra, Ghana; May 2009.
- Display and Interpretation Workshop-University of Ghana in partnership with the British Museum and Support from the Ford Foundation; Cape Coast Castle, Ghana, April 2008.
- Workshop for Scriptwriters-Cultural Initiatives Support Programme with support from the European Union- Akosombo, Nov. 2008.
- Domestic and International Consequence of the Abolishing of the Slave Trade, “the bloody writing is forever torn”- hosted by the Historical Society of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast, Ghana with sponsorship from the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture of the College of William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and others in consultation with UNESCO- Accra & Elmina, Ghana- August 2007.
- Workshop on Customer Care, Food Hygiene and Tour Guiding & Presentation-Ministry of Tourism &Diaspora Relations and the Ghana Tourism Federation with support from JICA PROJECT TEAM; GIMPA, 2007,
- Tour Guides Training Workshop-Tour Operators Union of Ghana in collaboration with Georgia States University Tourism Capacity Development Initiative (GSU TCDI) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Hans Cottage Botel, Cape Coast; June 2004.
- Tour Guides Training Workshop-Tour Operators Union of Ghana in collaboration with Georgia States University Tourism Capacity Development Initiative (GSU TCDI) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Regency Hotel, Accra July 2004.
- PANAFEST Foundation Executive Leadership Workshop-Tour Operators Union of Ghana in collaboration with Georgia States University Tourism Capacity Development Initiative (GSU TCDI) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Elmina Beach Resort, Elmina August 2004.
- CCI- Training of Trainers Workshop-Cape Coast, A Travel and Tourism Project organized by Health Foundation of Ghana (HFG) in collaboration with Dreyfus Health Foundation (DHF) and the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB); Cape Coast, Sept-October, 2003.
- Central Region Guide Training Program-US/ICOMUS and funded by Unite States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with Ghana Tourist Board, Tour Guides Association of Ghana and Conservation International; Cape Coast, Ghana, 1999.
SOME OF HIS INTEREST AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
- Events Management- specialist in anniversary planning and organization, Receptions, meetings, bazaars, drink-ups, parties,
- Culture-specialist in traditional naming ceremonies for Africans in the Diaspora, as well as Educative and Entertaining Cultural programs and performances.
- Ground-handling – airport or seaport pickups, Reservations for Transportations and Accommodations, Visitor orientation, logistical arrangements, protocol arrangements
- Itinerary planning (vacation and holiday activities), budgeting/costing
- Tour Guiding Services- community walking tours, cross-country tours, and boat tours/fishing expeditions, nature tours, as well as historical educational and cultural entertainments etc.
- Training & Education- organizes cultural seminars & workshops, skills development & training programs for young people, Researchers and Interns assistances as well as Radio talk shows.
- Entertainment programs- beach parties, poolside parties, drumming and dancing, hiking, clubbing discos and etc.
- Research Assistance
Core Competencies & Skills
- Interpretation: Able to interpret historical document, pictures and relics, process and analyze historical data and recount historical events
- Education; able to organize educational activities in an engaging manner for people of diverse backgrounds and varied age groups at formal or informal settings through mass media communication, commentaries, publications and documentaries.
- Job knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of historical and cultural artifacts and sites, as well as heritage and environmental issues; highly sensitive to cultural and disability issues.
- Communication skills; able to communicate complex information and concepts to individuals and groups; make presentations and respond to questions in both educational and workplace settings. Have excellent research and report writing skills.
- Organization and Management skills: have the ability to plan, organize and manage work load, also able to work systematically and maintain quality as well as motivate others to achieve results.
- Excellent human relations and strong interpersonal skills: able to relate with people of diverse background and age groups.
- PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP & ASSOCIATIONS
- PAN African Historical Theatre & Arts Festival-
National Planning Committee & Chairman of the Publicity Committee
- Tour Guides Association of Ghana
National Executive Member- Media Relations
Vice-President of the Central Regional Chapter
Awards and Citations
- National Tourism Awards 2014-SITE GUIDE of the YEAR; Certificate of Excellence and Plaque
- Central Regional Tourism Awards 2014-SITE GUIDE of the YEAR; Certificate of Excellence
- White House Communications Agency, 2009, Certificate of Appreciation
Professional Membership & Affiliations
- PAN African Historical Theatre & Arts Festival (PANAFEST)-National Planning Committee; Member & Chairman of the Publicity Committee
- Tour Guides Association of Ghana-National Executive Member- Communication & Media Relations
- International Exchange Alumni-Member
- University of Cape Coast Alumni-Member
