Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Urges Central Region MMDCEs to Boost Tourism Through Innovation

CAPE COAST, Ghana — July 27, 2025 – The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Central Region to leverage the area’s rich cultural heritage and historical sites to spur economic growth and investment in the tourism sector.
As part of her visit to the region for the launch of PANAFEST and Emancipation 2025, the Minister met with all MMDCEs to underscore 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,” she said. “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.”
A key aspect of her address was the need to strengthen the presence of cultural institutions such as the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), which currently lacks full representation across all 16 regions. The Minister emphasized that empowering such institutions is critical to preserving and promoting Ghana’s unique historical identity.
The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Oyere, who also participated in the engagement, echoed 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, Hon. Gomashie toured the Cape Coast Castle — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — highlighting 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, Hon. 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.
Source: Delassie Mabel Awuku – Public Relations, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture