By Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
Government is intensifying efforts to expand Ghana’s tourism, arts, and culture sector through new programmes, policy reforms, and stronger support for local arts and heritage, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, said.
Speaking during a working visit by Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister Dzifa Gomashie highlighted the role of youth-focused initiatives and diaspora-driven events in promoting Ghana’s identity, boosting domestic tourism, and creating jobs.
“Perhaps one of the reasons why we haven’t given the sector more than we could is the lack of reliable data to drive policy,” the Minister said. “We’ve been working with the Ghana Statistical Service and UNESCO on the 2030 cultural indicators, which I recently launched.
The Statistical Service has also launched its satellite accounts and other critical data. This puts us in a strong position to advocate for more investment in the sector. Last year, for example, tourism and culture contributed about 4.8 billion dollars to our economy. With accurate data, we can identify gaps, target interventions, and ensure that infrastructure and programmes support growth, youth employment, and community development.”
She added that the Ministry is also focused on building partnerships with local artists, cultural institutions, and the diaspora to promote Ghanaian heritage globally.
“Our goal is to create sustainable opportunities for young people, particularly in arts and culture entrepreneurship. We are also looking at targeted infrastructure projects to make our heritage sites more accessible and attractive to both domestic and international visitors,” the Tourism Minister said.
In response, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the need to focus on the overall growth and value of the tourism sector rather than dividing percentages. “I don’t believe in percentages. The question is, percentage of what? If we focus on increasing the overall volume, even a small share becomes significant. We need a larger tourism ‘pie’ so that every stakeholder benefits,” she said.
The Vice President also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage, local cuisine, and indigenous foods as strategic assets for positioning Ghana globally. “I was amazed at the variety of dishes we have.
Until I traveled abroad, I thought our food was limited. Now I see the potential in yam, cocoa, and other local produce. Turning them into diverse dishes and promoting them internationally is key. We need research into indigenous foods, professional training for chefs and culinary entrepreneurs, and better marketing of our culture as a tourism product,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further stressed that national development must take precedence over individual or institutional interests. “We must work collaboratively across ministries, agencies, the private sector, and communities. This is not just about tourism or culture; it’s about creating jobs, generating revenue, and strengthening Ghana’s identity. If we do this intentionally, we can make tourism and culture a significant pillar of our national economy,” she added.
The engagement reaffirmed government’s commitment to partnering with the private sector, the diaspora, and local communities to expand tourism, create sustainable jobs, and enhance Ghana’s cultural visibility worldwide.
