The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Central Region to harness the area’s rich cultural heritage and historical sites to promote economic growth and attract investments in tourism.
During her visit to the region for the launch of PANAFEST and Emancipation 2025, the Minister met with all MMDCEs to state the urgent need for innovation and strategic collaboration at the local government level.
She encouraged them to prioritize the enhancement and beautification of tourist sites as a means of generating revenue and stimulating local economic activity.
“The Central Region is home to some of Ghana’s most iconic historical assets. We must begin to see these sites not just as remnants of the past, but as living monuments with the potential to transform our communities economically and culturally,” she said.
Madam Gomashie emphasised the need to strengthen the presence of cultural institutions such as the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), which currently does not have full representation in all 16 regions.
She stated that empowering such institutions is crucial to preserving and promoting Ghana’s unique historical identity.
The Central Regional Minister, Mr. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Oyere, reechoed the call for stronger financial strategies among MMDCEs.
He urged them to recognize cultural and heritage sites as vital economic assets and to invest in their development to attract more visitors and boost local revenue.
As part of her visit, the Minister toured the Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and highlighted its global significance in the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
The tour was part of a broader initiative to promote domestic tourism and raise awareness of Ghana’s role in the global narrative of enslavement.
The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr Yussif Issaka Jajah; the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Joseph Kwasi Amoah; the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto; as well as Directors from the Ministry and its agencies.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
