Ghana’s government has committed to transforming the Volta Region into a leading tourism destination. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, confirmed this strategic focus during President John Dramani Mahama’s Citizens’ Engagement in Ho on Friday, July 19, 2026. The plan emphasizes cultural promotion, eco-tourism development, and significant private sector investment.
This initiative stems from the Minister's early engagement with the region, including meetings with Volta Regional Minister James Gunu and all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs). These discussions aimed to identify unique tourism attractions within their jurisdictions. The Ministry will provide technical expertise to package and promote these attractions both locally and internationally.
This development aligns with Ghana's broader economic strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional sectors like mining and agriculture. Tourism is a key pillar in the government's long-term growth plans, aiming to boost foreign exchange earnings and create jobs. Previous efforts, such as the 'Year of Return' initiative, demonstrated the potential for significant economic impact from targeted tourism campaigns.
Minister Gomashie stated, "The responsibility of the assemblies is to identify what is unique and marketable in their districts, while the Ministry provides the technical expertise to package and promote those attractions both locally and internationally." She also highlighted that tourism development is primarily private sector-driven. The government provides policy direction and invites investors to partner in developing sites into internationally competitive destinations.
Looking ahead, the government anticipates significant growth in the tourism, culture, and creative arts sector from 2027. This growth is expected through increased investment and improved infrastructure. The second phase of the government’s "Big Push" infrastructure programme is crucial for improving accessibility to tourism sites in the Volta Region. This includes rehabilitating roads leading to major attractions, a topic Minister Gomashie discussed with Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza.
The Volta Region possesses enormous eco-tourism potential, with sites like the Adaklu Mountain range and the Likpe–Todome area suitable for adventure tourism activities such as paragliding. The government also intends to transform the southern coastal belt into a vibrant cultural and marine tourism destination. Key attractions identified include the Wli and Agumatsa Waterfalls, Avu Lagoon, Hedzranawo Slave Market, and coastal communities like Keta, Kedzi, and Galosota.
To facilitate this, the Ghana Tourism Development Company has launched a digital tourism platform. This platform aims to showcase tourism businesses and attractions across the country. However, Minister Gomashie expressed concern that many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators have not yet registered, limiting the government's ability to market them internationally. She urged businesses to register to benefit from global promotion.
The government is also promoting investment in the Marine Drive Project and has engaged the Agbogbomefia of Asogli to attract investors, particularly from China. The Ministry has identified litigation-free lands for tourism investments and is open to Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and other Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. Collaboration with traditional authorities and local communities is also crucial to ensure shared economic benefits from these investments. The success of the Vodza Easter Regatta, which gained national attention with Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's participation, serves as an example of emerging tourism products.