Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah has thrown his weight behind government’s renewed drive to reposition Ghana as Africa’s premier tourism and cultural destination, urging stakeholders to work together to transform the country’s rich heritage into a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation and national development.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts’ High-Level Stakeholder Consultative Meeting and Masterclass in Accra yesterday, Dr. Julius Debrah declared that Ghana has all the ingredients needed to become one of the world’s most attractive tourism destinations, provided the nation tells its story effectively and invests in innovative tourism experiences.
Addressing government officials, tourism operators, traditional authorities, investors, development partners and players in the creative arts industry at the Accra City Hotel, the Chief of Staff said the future of Ghana’s tourism industry depends on collaboration, creativity and a shared national vision.
“If you don’t tell a story very well, no one knows,” Dr. Debrah stated, stressing that every successful tourism destination has built its reputation on compelling narratives capable of attracting visitors from across the globe.
He observed that Ghana’s rich history, cultural diversity, heritage sites, festivals, music, arts and hospitality remain invaluable national assets that must be professionally packaged and promoted to international markets.
According to him, the tourism industry presents enormous opportunities to diversify the country’s economy, generate foreign exchange, empower entrepreneurs and create sustainable employment for thousands of young Ghanaians.
Dr. Debrah therefore called on both public and private sector players to deepen collaboration and invest in innovative tourism products capable of making Ghana a preferred destination for international visitors.
Bold Tourism Agenda.
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, outlined government’s ambitious roadmap for the sector, describing it as a “domestic-first, global-next” strategy aimed at strengthening local tourism while projecting Ghana onto the global stage.
She explained that encouraging Ghanaians to appreciate and patronise their own cultural and tourism attractions would create a strong foundation for sustained international growth.
The Minister highlighted several landmark achievements already recorded by the Ministry, including the launch of the Ghana National Cultural Policy, implementation of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators Programme, and the establishment of Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account, all of which are expected to strengthen policy planning and investment decisions within the sector.
UNESCO Recognition.
Hon. Gomashie also celebrated Ghana’s growing international recognition, pointing to the inscription of Highlife music, traditional dance and Kente on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
She described the recognition as a significant achievement that reinforces Ghana’s position as one of Africa’s leading custodians of cultural heritage.
The Minister announced a series of flagship programmes designed to boost tourism, investment and cultural promotion, including the Afro Gastro Festival, National Photo Competition, Ghana Tourism Marketplace, Ghana Tourism Investment Platform (GTIP) and Akwaaba Night.
According to her, these initiatives will create new business opportunities, attract investors and increase tourist arrivals.
Global Spotlight in 2027.
A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement that Ghana will host the 70th Session of the United Nations Tourism Commission for Africa in 2027, the same year the country celebrates its 70th Independence Anniversary.
Participants described the event as a rare opportunity to showcase Ghana’s tourism potential, investment opportunities and cultural heritage before the international community.
Private Sector Partnership.
The meeting also underscored the critical role of the private sector in accelerating the growth of Ghana’s tourism industry.
Speaking on tax compliance and business sustainability, Elsie Appau-Klu Esq. of the Ghana Revenue Authority urged businesses operating within the tourism and hospitality sector to honour their tax obligations while working closely with government to expand the industry’s contribution to national development.
Stakeholders unanimously agreed that stronger partnerships, improved skills development, innovation and sustained investment will be crucial to unlocking the enormous potential of Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative arts sector.
The consultative meeting ended with renewed optimism that, under government’s strategic direction and with the active involvement of industry players, Ghana’s tourism sector is well positioned to become a major catalyst for economic transformation, employment creation and enhanced global visibility.
