The Centre for National Culture at the Ga West Municipal Assembly has held a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at promoting tourism and cultural development within the municipality.

The meeting, which took place at the Assembly on 21st May 2026, brought together owners and managers of tourism and cultural establishments, including craft shops, dance ensembles, flower gardens, music centres and officers from the Information Services Department.

Addressing participants, the Municipal Cultural Officer, Madam Akonorbea Abena Adu, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges affecting tourism and culture within the municipality and to explore practical solutions to improve the sector.

According to her, although tourism is thriving at the national level through the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, the situation within the Ga West Municipality has not seen the same level of growth and recognition.

She noted that the meeting was intended to be an interactive discussion where stakeholders would share ideas, identify challenges and collectively work towards improving tourism and culture in the municipality.

“We are here to discuss what is hindering our growth and what can be done to remedy the situation. It is not going to be a one-man conversation, but a discussion among us to see how we can help each other grow,” she stated.

Participants raised some concerns affecting the sector, including low patronage, poor road networks leading to tourism sites, inadequate financial support, lack of recognition for cultural practitioners, weak promotion and advertising, and insufficient appreciation of Ghanaian culture by the public.

The Manager of AFRIKI COF Craft Shop lamented the low patronage of locally made crafts and appealed for more educational tours and cultural exhibitions to expose children to Ghanaian culture.

According to her, many Ghanaians do not appreciate cultural artefacts such as drums, beads and handicrafts, unlike foreigners who patronise such products more frequently.

She further suggested the establishment of a tourism office and annual cultural exhibitions within the municipality to promote local products, food, flowers, dance and crafts.

The Manager of Medie Flower Garden also highlighted the lack of appreciation for horticulture and environmental beautification within the municipality.

He explained that many people fail to understand the importance of trees and flowers in beautifying the environment and preserving the ecosystem.

He also expressed concern over the cutting down of trees by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) during power line projects and called for better collaboration between city planners and horticulturists.

He further appealed for financial support to improve the appearance and standards of tourism facilities and encouraged the planting of economic trees such as mango and orange trees within communities.

Speaking on challenges within the performing arts sector, the Manager of Keno Dance Ensemble noted that many parents discourage children from pursuing careers in dance and cultural performances because they believe such professions do not offer a good future.

He also expressed disappointment over the lack of motivation and recognition given to cultural groups despite their contributions to community development and youth empowerment.

According to him, cultural practitioners are often called upon to perform during official programmes, yet their work is undervalued and poorly compensated.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cordy Beading and Handy Craft also stressed the need for practical creative arts education in schools to help children discover and develop their talents.

She encouraged schools to organise more art-related activities and excursions to cultural centres to expose students to creative opportunities and vocational skills.

The Manager of Dagare Music Centre also raised concerns about the lack of respect for different cultures and called for greater cultural exchange and appreciation among Ghanaians.

He urged the government and stakeholders to promote cultural learning and encourage foreigners to visit the country to experience Ghanaian culture and traditions.

Participants unanimously agreed on the need to form a Tourism and Cultural Association within the municipality to help strengthen collaboration, improve networking and support one another’s businesses and activities.

Stakeholders noted that the association would help members recommend each other’s services and collectively promote tourism and culture within the municipality.

Speaking at the meeting, the Municipal Information Officer, Madam Rachel Sarpong, commended participants for their efforts in preserving Ghanaian culture and identity.

She described the formation of the association as a step in the right direction and encouraged stakeholders not to wait for government support before acting.

According to her, the Culture Department could coordinate and supervise the activities of the association while efforts are made in future to establish a formal tourism board.

Madam Akonorbea Abena Adu later assured participants that the proposed association would focus on developing an action plan aimed at promoting tourism and culture through exhibitions, school outreach programmes, social media promotion and stakeholder collaboration.

She stressed that members would work together to develop a constitution, hold regular meetings and create a platform where all stakeholders would contribute ideas and support one another.

The meeting ended with participants expressing optimism that the initiative would help revive tourism and culture within the municipality and bring greater recognition to the sector.

Source: Dorcas Asantewaa Osei ISD-GWMA.