Mercy Abena Twumwaa Asubonteng has been appointed General Manager of Western Serene Atlantic Hotel, effective September 1, 2025, as the hospitality facility begins a new phase of transformation under First Sky Group.
The appointment places the seasoned hospitality professional at the helm of the 200-room hotel in Takoradi, which is being repositioned as a leading five-star destination in Ghana and across West Africa.
Western Serene Atlantic Hotel, formerly known as Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel, has been a notable hospitality landmark along Ghana’s western coastline since it was commissioned in 1962 by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
First Sky Group acquired the property in June 2024 and has since pursued an ambitious redevelopment and repositioning agenda aimed at elevating its standards, services and overall guest experience.
With Ms Asubonteng assuming the top management position, the hotel is expected to combine contemporary luxury with elements of Ghanaian culture while strengthening its position within the country’s competitive hospitality sector.
Ms Asubonteng brings more than 20 years of experience in Ghana’s hospitality and tourism industry to her new role.
Throughout her career, she has worked in several senior capacities, including Food and Beverage Manager, Conference and Banqueting Executive and Marketing Manager.
These roles have given her extensive experience in hotel operations, customer service, business development and strategic management.
Prior to her substantive appointment as General Manager, she served as Acting General Manager of Western Serene Atlantic Hotel, where she provided leadership during a period of transition.
Her performance in that role, coupled with her industry experience, positioned her as a strong candidate to lead the hotel’s next phase of development.
The appointment has received strong backing from the leadership of First Sky Group and its hospitality division, Serene Hotels & Resorts.
Chief Executive Officer of Serene Hotels & Resorts, Rhoda Ashiabi, said Ms Asubonteng’s leadership qualities and commitment to excellence would be critical to the hotel’s transformation.
According to her, the new General Manager possesses the passion, vision and leadership capabilities required to help position Western Serene Atlantic Hotel among the leading five-star establishments in Ghana and West Africa within the next three years.
Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, Eric Seddy Kutortse, also welcomed the appointment, describing it as a reflection of the Group’s confidence in women’s leadership and professional expertise.
He noted that Ms Asubonteng’s elevation underscores the important role women can play in driving growth and competitiveness within the global hospitality industry.
For Ms Asubonteng, the new appointment represents more than a career advancement. She views the role as an opportunity to lead the hotel through a period of innovation, growth and renewed market positioning.
She said her focus would include leading the hotel’s team towards higher standards while strengthening its presence within Ghana’s hospitality ecosystem.
A major part of her agenda will be improving guest experiences through innovation and personalised services.
She also plans to develop a highly motivated workforce by investing in employee training and professional development.
In addition, the hotel is expected to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for conferences, corporate retreats, leisure activities and other major events.
Ms Asubonteng said her broader objective is to make Western Serene Atlantic Hotel a preferred hospitality brand in Ghana.
The new General Manager is an alumna of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management and Hospitality Law.
She has also completed several professional certifications relevant to hospitality management and operational standards.
Her qualifications include HACCP Food Safety Management certification from QMACS, ISO 19011:2011 Internal Auditing of Codex HACCP certification from QSHE, and Customer Service Excellence certification from AMSCO.
Her extensive background in food and beverage management has further equipped her with practical knowledge of hotel operations and service delivery.
With her appointment, Western Serene Atlantic Hotel enters its next phase under a leadership team seeking to combine experienced management, modern hospitality standards and a distinctly Ghanaian identity.
The development forms part of First Sky Group’s broader ambition to establish its hospitality properties as competitive destinations within Ghana and the wider West African market.
