Abeiku Aggrey Santana, a well-known On-Air Personality (OAP) and entrepreneur, has lauded Archbishop Charles Agyin Asare for his inadvertent role in shedding light on the community of Nogokpo. Santana commended the founder of Perez Chapel International for inadvertently assisting the town’s leaders and residents in improving their self-image and branding.
Nogokpo, a community located in the Volta Region, has long been plagued by a negative perception that has hindered its growth and development. Abeiku Aggrey Santana emphasized that Archbishop Charles Agyin Asare played a crucial role in dispelling these negative perceptions, allowing the community to take advantage of the situation to rebrand itself.
The catalyst for this transformation was a statement made by Archbishop Charles Agyin Asare during one of his church sermons. In his sermon, the founder of Perez Chapel International referred to Nogokpo as the “demonic headquarters” of the Volta Region. This remark ignited a discussion and controversy, drawing both criticism and attention.
Speaking on UTV’s Showbiz Night, Abeiku Aggrey Santana clarified that the Archbishop’s comment was not intended to demean the people of the Volta Region. Instead, the spin and interpretation of his words prompted the leaders of Nogokpo to leverage the situation for their benefit. Santana praised the leaders for their swift and strategic response, which included granting interviews and holding press conferences to present a more positive and accurate representation of their community.
Santana drew parallels between this incident and the concept of branding and image-building in other contexts. He pointed out that tourists and foreign nationals often travel to other countries, such as Benin, to witness events like the Vodoo festival. In a similar vein, the leaders of Nogokpo saw an opportunity in the Archbishop’s comment to market their destination based on its unique cultural and historical aspects.
By capitalizing on the situation, the leaders of Nogokpo managed to alter the narrative surrounding their community. They were able to highlight the richness of their culture, traditions, and attractions, positioning Nogokpo as a place of interest for both locals and visitors alike.
