IMANI think tank meets Tourism Ministry to explore policy collaboration on culture and creative industries

Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has held discussions with the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, a leading think tank, to explore evidence-based policy approaches for developing the country's cultural and creative sectors. The meeting represents a formal engagement between government and civil society focused on strengthening decision-making around tourism and heritage preservation.

Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie received the IMANI delegation, which included Franklin Cudjoe, Selorm Branttie, Kay Codjoe and Meme Princess Umul Hatiyya. The engagement focused on understanding current ministry initiatives and identifying collaborative research opportunities that could inform future policy development across tourism, culture and creative industries.

Key priorities for Ghana's cultural economy

The Minister emphasised the need for increased investment in Ghana's tourism infrastructure, cultural heritage sites and creative industries as a strategy for economic diversification and job creation. She highlighted several assets with proven commercial potential, including Ghana's network of heritage forts and castles, traditional textiles such as Kente and Fugu, Highlife music and dance traditions, local gastronomy and national festivals. These cultural assets, she noted, can attract international visitors and generate significant business opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs.

Current government efforts include restoration projects targeting selected forts and castles, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, alongside initiatives to strengthen cultural preservation mechanisms and protect Ghanaian intellectual property in creative works. The Ministry is also working to build Ghana's international profile for creative talent and cultural exports.

Why this matters for Ghana

Ghana's tourism and creative sectors represent a largely untapped economic opportunity. The country's cultural heritage, particularly its historical sites related to the transatlantic slave trade, attracts significant heritage tourism, whilst its music, film and fashion industries have grown considerably in recent years. However, these sectors face challenges including inadequate infrastructure, limited policy coordination and insufficient data to guide investment decisions.

Collaborations between think tanks like IMANI and government ministries can bridge the gap between policy ambitions and evidence-based strategy. Through policy research and comparative analysis, such partnerships help identify best practices, optimise resource allocation and create frameworks that support sustainable growth. For Ghana's creative economy to compete regionally and globally, strategic policy development underpinned by rigorous analysis is essential.

Franklin Cudjoe, representing IMANI, confirmed the think tank's commitment to supporting the Ministry through research and collaborative analysis. The engagement signals growing recognition within Ghana's policy community that the culture and creative sectors merit the same level of strategic focus and data-driven planning typically reserved for traditional economic sectors.

Next steps and collaboration

The meeting concluded with agreement to explore specific areas of policy research and ongoing collaboration. Potential areas include analysis of tourism sector performance, evaluation of cultural preservation programmes and assessment of the creative industries' economic contribution. Such work could inform budget allocation, regulatory reform and investment priorities.

The engagement reflects broader international trends recognising the creative economy as a driver of inclusive growth, particularly for developing nations with rich cultural assets. Ghana's combination of historical significance, artistic talent and growing diaspora networks positions it well to benefit from a more strategic, evidence-based approach to tourism and cultural development.