Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts will host the maiden Africa Festival of Arts and Creatives from December 9-12 this year. This significant event aims to showcase the rich diversity and excellence of African arts and culture, providing substantial economic opportunities.
The festival is expected to create opportunities for over 20,000 Ghanaians within the tourism and creative arts sectors. Madam Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, the sector minister, announced this initiative at the Government Accountability Series in Accra. The event seeks to position Africa’s creative economy as a vital driver of development.
This initiative aligns with Ghana's broader economic strategy to diversify revenue streams and boost employment. The creative economy, encompassing music, dance, theatre, film, literature, and fashion, offers significant potential for growth and job creation. The festival will promote investment, entrepreneurship, tourism, innovation, and skills development, with a particular focus on youth and women.
Madam Gomashie stated that the festival follows an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) and the African Union Development Agency. This collaboration aims to deepen cultural diplomacy and foster greater cooperation among creatives and stakeholders across the continent. The event will also strengthen Pan-African unity and global engagement by reconnecting Africa with its diaspora.
The minister highlighted progress in the sector, noting that domestic tourism grew by over 7% in 2025. This growth reflects ongoing efforts by the ministry to improve tourism infrastructure and enhance local content creation. Recent upgrades at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and a partnership with the W.E.B. Du Bois Foundation to manage the Du Bois Centre underscore these efforts.
Madam Gomashie also announced a partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). This collaboration will facilitate an Intellectual Property Conference for musicians in Africa and the Caribbean. The conference aims to build professional capacity in copyright and promote the co-creation of copyright-protected works in both regions, protecting artists' economic rights.
Plans are also underway to strengthen collaboration and promote public awareness regarding the provisions and strategic pillars of the country’s newly revised National Cultural Policy. This policy framework is crucial for guiding the sustainable development of Ghana's cultural and creative industries. The ministry remains committed to job creation, culture preservation, private sector partnerships, and inclusive growth.
The festival's success could significantly boost Ghana's tourism receipts and enhance its global cultural standing. Investors and policymakers will closely watch the event's outcomes, particularly its impact on job creation and economic diversification. The focus on youth and women in skills development could also yield long-term benefits for Ghana's human capital.