Accra: Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, on Friday reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to cultural diplomacy and creative industry development during an engagement at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra. The engagement, held as part of the Cultural Connect Programme, aimed to bolster cultural and creative exchange between Ghana and the Netherlands, hosted by Ms Wendy Van Meel, the Deputy Head of Mission.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event brought together stakeholders from both countries to explore deeper collaboration in the tourism, culture, and creative sectors. Madam Gomashie emphasized the significant role culture and creative arts play in Ghana's national development, particularly within the tourism sector, contributing notably to the country's GDP and cultural identity.
She detailed the Ministry's evolution from a tourism-focused agency to its current integrated structure, which formally recognized culture and creative arts under an executive instrument in 2013, reaffirmed in 2025. The Minister acknowledged the advocacy of stakeholders in achieving this milestone and expressed gratitude to the President for his support.
Madam Gomashie called for increased respect and investment in the creative sector and urged Ghanaians in the diaspora to use diplomatic platforms such as embassy events and national celebrations to promote Ghanaian creatives. "We are not in short supply of creativity; what we lack are opportunities to exhibit it," she said.
Furthermore, she underscored the importance of preserving Ghana's indigenous languages and commended the work of the Bureau of Ghana Languages, a key agency under her Ministry, for their excellent work.
Ms. Van Meel expressed optimism about the growing partnership, noting the Embassy's readiness to strengthen ties with Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to support industry development. She affirmed the Netherlands' commitment to deepening cultural collaboration and harnessing the creative industries as engines of economic growth and international partnership.
