Women in hospitality often have to work harder to prove themselves – Jael Akyeampong

&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Award-winning hospitality professional Jael Akyeampong has highlighted the challenges women face in building careers within Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">According to Akyeampong&comma; women in the sector often have to put in extra effort to demonstrate their competence and earn recognition&comma; particularly while managing demanding professional and family responsibilities&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Akyeampong&comma; who has more than 10 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry&comma; is the General Manager of RB Park-Hill Hotel&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Business Management from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom&period; Her professional experience includes working with travel agencies in the UK&comma; an internship at JW Marriott in Central London and employment with Marriott Hotel Accra&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Beyond hotel management&comma; Akyeampong is the founder and CEO of The Haven Honeymoon Concierge&comma; a travel agency&comma; and has been recognised for her contributions to the hospitality industry&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Her awards include Most Admired Female Hospitality Professional at the Hospitality Awards Ghana in 2021 and Most Outstanding Female in Hospitality at the Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Akyeampong has also dedicated part of her career to mentoring young people&period; She founded the TEENS Tourism and Hospitality Club&comma; an initiative designed to expose young people to career opportunities in tourism and hospitality&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Through the club&comma; young people receive mentorship&comma; coaching&comma; educational trips and guidance on pursuing higher education in the sector&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Speaking about the challenges confronting women in hospitality&comma; Akyeampong said the demands of the profession can become particularly difficult when combined with family responsibilities&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">She&comma; however&comma; credited the support of her family for helping her navigate the challenges and continue developing her career&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Akyeampong has encouraged young people interested in hospitality and tourism to seek mentors&comma; pursue voluntary work and internships&comma; surround themselves with positive people and avoid underestimating their abilities&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Her career reflects an effort to combine professional leadership with mentorship and advocacy for greater female participation in Ghana’s hospitality industry&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph"><&sol;p>&NewLine;