Accra, March 17, 2026 — The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah, has engaged the Bureau for International Development, Exchange and Commerce (BIDEC) to align Ghana’s strategy for leveraging on the 2026 FIFA World Cup for tourism growth and economic gains.
The meeting focused on positioning Ghana to benefit from the global tournament beyond football, particularly within the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors. Hon. Jajah disclosed that the sector minister had earlier initiated engagements with international partners, including diplomatic representatives, to explore opportunities tied to the event.
He indicated that government has established a ministerial task force and a technical committee to coordinate preparations, with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts actively represented on both. However, he acknowledged concerns about timing, noting that although planning is underway, Ghana may be slightly behind schedule.
Hon. Jajah emphasised the need for coordinated and well-timed activities, especially as the Ministry considers hosting targeted tourism and cultural events in key host cities such as Philadelphia and Atlanta, where matches are expected to be played. He stressed that these initiatives must align with match schedules and audience engagement strategies to maximise impact.
He further noted that the Ministry remains open to partnerships and innovative resource mobilisation approaches in light of financial constraints and announced plans to establish a smaller working group to develop a clear and actionable roadmap.
“Our goal is not just participation, but to ensure that Ghana stands out meaningfully,” he said, urging stakeholders to collaborate to deliver impactful outcomes.
The delegation led by Richard Berris from the Atlanta Black Chamber of Commerce highlighted its growing global outreach and readiness to support Ghana’s tourism and investment drive ahead of the World Cup. With operations spanning 42 countries, over 2,000 members, and access to more than 500,000 businesses across the United States, the Chamber, through its global division facilitates trade, partnerships, and diaspora engagement. They underscored Atlanta’s strategic advantage as a gateway to the U.S., citing its highly connected airport and strong Ghanaian diaspora presence. The delegation, supported locally by BIDEC, noted that the World Cup presents a timely opportunity to position Ghana’s tourism offerings to diaspora audiences and investors, particularly through targeted promotions in Atlanta.
They further proposed a structured engagement strategy anchored in Atlanta, aimed at delivering measurable post-World Cup gains beyond football matches. This includes a three-day cultural parade in partnership with Juneteenth Atlanta, high-level B2B meetings and investment workshops over seven days, and a 14-day marketplace for Ghanaian businesses and brands. The initiative also seeks to leverage Atlanta’s demographic and geographic advantages to reach multiple U.S. states, while creating a “Ghana Village” experience to sustain engagement, promote culture, and facilitate direct tourism conversions.
The meeting was attended by directors of the Ministry, including Dr. Geoffrey Tamakloe, Director of Tourism, Divine Kwame Owusu Ansah, Director of Culture and Creative Arts, Mabel Cudjoe, Director of Research, Otto Langmagne, Director, Human Resource, Christiana Akrong, Director of Finance and Administration and Doris Afi Mensah, Head of Accounts.
Source: PR Unit, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
