The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged a shift in how tourism is understood, describing it as an educational enterprise rather than an extractive industry.
She said tourism must teach citizens to value, protect and sustain their heritage for future generations.
She made the remarks at the launch of the Ghana Tourism Development Company Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana in Accra.
According to her, placing the office within a university reflects an investment in the country’s intellectual capital, noting that tourism intersects with economics, environmental science, performing arts and history, and should be embedded in higher education where national identity is shaped.
The Minister noted the role of domestic tourism in reclaiming Ghana’s narrative and urged Ghanaians to take pride in landmarks, festivals, markets and monuments as expressions of identity and dignity.
She commended the President for aligning the Ministry’s focus on Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts as drivers of economic transformation.
Madam Gomashie added that the office will organise professional campus tours, especially for international scholars and visitors, to deepen engagement with the history and cultural relevance of Legon and its surrounding communities.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, described the institution as a custodian of heritage.
She said its architecture, traditions and academic history present a compelling story. She explained that the initiative connects classroom learning with lived cultural experiences, giving students and visitors structured access to Ghanaian heritage.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, Professor Kobby Mensah, outlined plans for curated tours featuring sites such as the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts, among others, across the campus.
He said the structured tours could offer several hours of immersive experiences for corporate groups, students, international visitors and members of the diaspora.
He added that the initiative positions the University of Ghana as an educational tourism destination.
Adwoa Koramah Anokye-Gyimah, ISD
