Accra, November 13, 2025 — The Youth-in-Art Festival 2025 opened in Accra on Thursday with a renewed call for Ghanaian youth to harness creativity as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and national development. The event, held at the Centre for National Culture, brought together artists, academics, industry practitioners, and young creatives from across the country.
Representing the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dr. Richardson Commey Fio delivered a speech on behalf of Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP) and later joined a panel to discuss the theme “How the Art Can Feed.” He emphasised the growing global recognition of the culture and creative industries as contributors to GDP, job creation, and education, urging young talents to acquire both artistic and economic skills to transform their craft into sustainable livelihoods.
In her official message, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie commended Playhouse.Kom, the Centre for National Culture, and the National Film Authority for organising the festival under the theme “The Industry: A Vehicle for Tourism and Job Creation.” She said the theme aligns with the Ministry’s agenda to position creativity and tourism as engines of economic growth.
The Minister noted that Ghana’s creative economy is attracting global attention through film, visual arts, cultural festivals, and music tourism. She outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering young creatives, including capacity-building programmes, creative entrepreneurship support, innovation hubs, cultural residencies, and partnerships linking art, technology, and tourism.
“I envision a Ghana where creativity is not a part-time activity but a profession,” she said. “The Ministry sees you, values you, and is building the ecosystem you need to flourish.”
Dr. Commey Fio traced the development of Ghana’s creative sector from its early foundations under Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, highlighting institutions such as the National Theatre Movement, the Arts Council of Ghana, and the Institute of African Studies, to later infrastructural and policy milestones including the National Theatre, regional Centres for National Culture, the Ghana Cultural Policy, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
He applauded pioneering figures like Philip Gbeho, Emeritus Prof. J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Efua Sutherland, Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Prof. George P. Hagan, and Ama Ata Aidoo for their immense contributions to Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Addressing the youth directly, Dr Commey Fio encouraged them to seek mentorship and build strong professional networks. “Before you can make a living out of your craft, learn from those who have walked the path,” he said. “Join forces with others who complement your strengths, and you can surprise the world.”
The event brought together notable industry figures, including Rev. Kizito Nii Amartey of the National Commission on Culture, Prof. Georgina Oduro of the University of Cape Coast, Dr Naa Watson Nortey of the University of Education, Winneba, and Mr Joseph Baffour Gyamfi, CEO of CopyGhana.
The 2025 Youth-in-Art Festival ended with renewed enthusiasm as young participants were encouraged to innovate, collaborate, and use their creativity as a tool for personal advancement and national branding.
Source: Delassie M. Awuku – PR Unit – MoTCCA.
