By: Celestine Ave
President John Mahama has arrived in Cairo ahead of the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), scheduled for tomorrow, November 1.
The ceremony will be held under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and will gather world leaders, kings, and dignitaries from across the globe.
Overlooking the Giza Pyramids, the GEM is the world’s largest archaeological museum, celebrating over 5,000 years of Egyptian civilization.
The $1 billion project, two decades in the making, houses thousands of artifacts, including 4,500 treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
President al-Sisi has hailed the museum as a “symbol of Egypt’s leadership in global culture.” Originally set to open in July, the event was postponed due to regional tensions but is now expected to be one of the most significant cultural gatherings of the year.
The project was made possible through Egypt and Japan cooperation, with Japan providing ¥84.2 billion ($800 million) in soft loans via JICA and JBIC, alongside Egyptian and international contributions.
Japanese experts also trained hundreds of Egyptians in conservation and museum management.
The opening comes amid a tourism revival in Egypt, with revenues reaching $14.4 billion in 2023–2024 and 15 million visitors recorded in the first nine months of 2025.
For Ghana, President Mahama’s participation underscores Africa’s growing voice in global cultural diplomacy.
The GEM stands as a testament to shared heritage, blending ancient history, modern innovation, and international collaboration.
President John Dramani Mahama was accompanied by the Executive Secretary to the president, Dr Callistus Mahama and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Dogbe.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Tourism Minister, Abla Gzifa Gomashie and Director of Operations at the Presidency, COP Nathan Kofi Boakye Rtd are also in Egypt to represent Ghana at this historic event.
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