In a strategic initiative aimed at decentralizing tourism development and empowering local communities, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has undertaken a working tour of the Volta Region. This tour emphasizes a bottom-up approach to rebranding Ghana’s tourism sector.
The three-day tour involved engagements with regional and local authorities, traditional leaders, and site managers, marking a transition from conventional top-down strategies to a more inclusive model that prioritizes local assemblies and communities in tourism growth.
“We are not merely here to assess; we are here to listen and collaboratively develop solutions. Genuine tourism transformation begins within the communities,” Hon. Gomashie articulated during her visit to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in Ho.
Key highlights of her itinerary included culturally rich yet lesser-known sites such as Praise City Eco Park in Ho, the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, and the renowned Wli Waterfalls. While acknowledging the natural beauty and heritage of these attractions, the Minister emphasized the necessity for innovative packaging, effective storytelling, and locally-led promotion strategies.
“Local dances such as Atsiagbekor and Agbadza, along with our crafts and festivals, are not merely traditions—they represent tourism assets. However, we must present them in ways that captivate and educate visitors,” she elaborated.
Dzifa Gomashie advocated for stronger partnerships between the Ministry, traditional leaders, and district assemblies to document and promote distinctive local experiences. She also encouraged communities to prepare for investment opportunities, particularly in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism infrastructure.
“We should not rely on Accra to define our narratives. Each district and village possesses a key to the future of Ghana’s tourism,” she asserted.
Her engagement with Mamagã Akua-Dei II, Paramount Queen of the Asogli State, highlighted the significance of traditional authority in shaping community narratives and preserving cultural identity.
As she concluded her tour, the Minister urged citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors to support tourism initiatives that protect the environment, celebrate culture, and generate local income. “The future of Ghana’s tourism depends on our capacity to transform hidden gems into economic assets—through the individuals who reside closest to them,” she concluded.