Unveiling the Hidden Treasures of Ghana's Cultural Heritage: A Call to Action for Creative Arts Leaders
In a powerful address, Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged the leaders of the tourism, culture, and creative arts industry to bring to light the untold stories of Ghana's rich cultural heritage, tourist sites, forts, and castles. She emphasized the existence of over 60 heritage sites that remain largely unexplored, despite their immense historical, cultural, and economic value.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang, during her visit to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, shed light on the country's forts and castles, which exist in various shapes and forms. However, she noted that much of their deeper narratives remain undocumented and inadequately promoted. The Vice-President, a professor of literature herself, highlighted the untapped potential within this narrative.
"Sixty of the forts and castles in the country stand in various shapes and forms, and their stories have not been fully told," she said. "There is a vast narrative waiting to be uncovered and shared."
To enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Ghana's national brand, Professor Opoku-Agyemang advocated for improvements in marketing, hospitality training, language skills, customer service, and research. These enhancements, she believes, will not only enrich the visitor experience but also solidify Ghana's reputation as a cultural powerhouse.
This visit was part of the Vice-President's broader efforts to support various ministries, departments, and agencies, especially those led by women. She has previously visited the Ministries of Education, Health, Gender, Children, and Social Protection, demonstrating her commitment to engaging directly with these institutions to understand their operations and challenges.
The rationale behind these visits, as explained by Professor Opoku-Agyemang, is to foster a collaborative relationship with the ministries, departments, and agencies. She emphasized the government's dedication to supporting these entities in their pursuit of national development, stating, "Our approach is to come to you, to listen, to learn, and to work with you."
Furthermore, she advised against focusing solely on budgetary allocations, suggesting that priority should be given to growing national revenue. This approach, she believes, will enable the creative industry to thrive and drive job creation, youth empowerment, and economic growth.
Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, a key figure in the creative arts sector, echoed these sentiments. She highlighted the industry's capacity to foster job creation, youth empowerment, and economic growth, drawing from her extensive experience in the sector. Ms. Gomashie emphasized the importance of mentorship and sustained encouragement in nurturing talent, and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to expanding opportunities within the creative arts sector.
One notable initiative mentioned by Ms. Gomashie was the launch of 'The Black Experience' in March, a collaboration with various agencies featuring 68 traditional Ghanaian dishes to celebrate the nation's 68th anniversary. This initiative aims to preserve forgotten dishes, promote healthy local cuisine, and ultimately contribute to the longevity of the community.
