When you think of planning a trip, you probably imagine picking out exotic destinations and perfect itineraries. What you don’t see is the mastermind working behind the scenes to make sure every detail comes together seamlessly. In Ghana, one of those masterminds is a powerhouse of a woman who’s turning travel dreams into reality—one itinerary at a time: Celestine Afatsawo.

A Passion for Creating Unforgettable Experiences

Running a tour operator business isn’t just about logistics—it’s about crafting experiences that leave travelers in awe. And for Celestine, owner of Celmar Travel and Tours, Ghana, that’s the best part of the job. Whether she’s designing custom itineraries, coordinating accommodations, or ensuring each traveler has the adventure of a lifetime, she thrives on exceeding expectations.

As a former accountant with over two decades of experience in both public and private sectors, Celestine could have easily stayed in the comfort of crunching numbers and balancing books. But her love for Ghana and her passion for sharing its wonders with the world led her to build a company that does more than just offer tours—it creates deeply personal, immersive experiences that leave visitors in awe.

Celestine loves nothing more than hearing from happy clients—whether it’s an excited text about a breathtaking waterfall hike or a story from one of her trusted guides about how much fun a group had exploring a traditional weaving community. Seeing travelers enjoy Ghana and fall in love with its culture is what makes all her hard work worth it.

The Behind-the-Scenes Hustle

Some might find the constant coordination, problem-solving, and attention to detail exhausting, but not Celestine. In fact, she loves it. From monitoring movements to troubleshooting last-minute changes, she’s always on top of things. And one of her favorite moments? Greeting visitors at the airport. She believes the first impression of Ghana should be warm, welcoming, and stress-free.

Challenges? She’s Got It Covered

Of course, running a tour company in Ghana isn’t all smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges she and other tour operators face is managing traveler expectations. First-time visitors to West Africa may not know what to expect, which is why Celmar Travel and Tours makes it a point to provide an orientation as soon as travelers arrive. The key to enjoying Ghana, she says, is to come with an open mind and a sense of adventure.

And then there’s the infrastructure—specifically, the roads. Ghana’s beauty is unmatched, but let’s just say the road conditions aren’t always ideal. Long drives can be bumpy, and Accra’s traffic is legendary. But despite these challenges, Celestine wouldn’t trade her work for anything. Ghana is still an incredible destination, and every trip is an adventure worth taking.

Crafting Unforgettable Experiences for Every Budget

If you’ve ever thought that a trip to Ghana was out of your budget, think again. While Celestine would love to rake in the big bucks (who wouldn’t?), she is committed to making Ghana accessible to all, regardless of financial constraints. Thanks to her budgeting and financial skills, she customizes tours that allow travelers—whether luxury seekers or budget-conscious adventurers—to experience Ghana’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture.

Her Ultimate Travel Tip: Go Local

If there’s one piece of advice she gives to travelers, it’s this—work with a licensed, local tour guide or tour operator. Not only does this ensure safety, but it also provides access to deeper, more meaningful experiences. Local guides can take travelers to incredible places they’ve never heard of or seen before, introduce them to fascinating people, and help them navigate cultural nuances. Plus, they know all the do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth, respectful, and enriching journey. And here’s the kicker, her company works only with master tour guides.

More Than Just Tourism

When she’s not organizing incredible travel experiences, she’s also deeply involved in agriculture. Alongside her husband, she co-founded and manages Celvic Agro Consulting, an agribusiness that trains local farmers to produce high-quality crops, including yams, mangoes, and vegetables for export. From tourism to farming, she wears many hats—and wears them well.

It would not come as a surprise to know that Celestine is also a mentor to young women, encouraging them in entrepreneurship, particularly agriculture.

Back to tourism: If you ask her, Celestine would say that women-owned tour companies are simply the best. “We know how to manage people best,” she says with a knowing smile. “Even the tour guides—both male and female—agree.” Another interesting thing about being the owner of a tour operator company is that she doesn’t have to worry about certain, ahem, overly eager travelers trying to forge extra special connections with their charming Ghanaian guides!

Hands-On Leadership

Celestine is not just sitting behind a desk making phone calls. She’s out there—scouting new, off-the-beaten-path locations, inspecting hotels, and even going on familiarization trips with her tour team to make sure every experience is top-notch. She knows that road conditions change with the seasons, accommodations evolve, and travelers’ needs vary. So when she recommends something, it’s because she’s experienced a lot of things firsthand.

A Business Built on Family and Passion

Through it all, she’s a proud mother of four. Her eldest is currently studying at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, and all of her children are very supportive of their parents’ businesses, often helping with social media and other tasks. It’s a family affair, and their dedication shines through in everything they do.

So if Ghana is on your travel wish-list, rest assured—there’s a brilliant, passionate, detail-obsessed woman working behind the scenes to make sure your trip is nothing short of extraordinary.

If planning your trip to Ghana feels like a lot to handle, don’t worry—Celestine and Celmar Travel and Tours is there for you. Whether you need a custom itinerary, help with bookings, or just want a stress-free travel experience, she’ll make it easy.

Reach out today, and let her start planning your unforgettable trip to Ghana! Call/Text: WhatsApp Phone: +233277425131

By the way, if you enjoyed this article, you may like to read about another amazing woman in Ghana tourism, Tour Guide, Martina Kumi.