The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts will host the maiden Africa Festival of Arts and Creatives from December 9-12 this year in Accra. The festival aims to showcase the diversity and excellence of African arts and culture.
A Celebration of African Arts and Culture
The festival is expected to provide opportunities for over 20,000 Ghanaians in the tourism and creative arts sectors. According to Madam Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, the sector minister, the initiative will help to position Africa's creative economy as a driver of development.
Madam Gomashie said the festival will promote investment, entrepreneurship, tourism, innovation, and skills development, especially for the youth and women. She noted that the festival will deepen collaboration and cultural diplomacy among creatives and stakeholders in the sector.
A Celebration of African Arts and Culture (continued)
The festival will showcase the richness of African arts and culture through music, dance, theatre, film, literature, fashion, and more. Madam Gomashie said, "The festival will strengthen Pan-African unity and global engagement by reconnecting Africa with its diaspora and protect African cultural leadership and creative excellence on the global stage and leave a lasting continental legacy while advancing Agenda 2026 through culture-led development."
Madam Gomashie highlighted progress in the sector, noting that domestic tourism grew by over seven percent in 2025. The ministry continued to improve tourism infrastructure and enhance local content creation.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Madam Gomashie announced a partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to host the Intellectual Property Conference for musicians in Africa and the Caribbean. The conference aims to build professional capacity in copyright and facilitate co-creation of copyright-protected works in both regions.
The minister also announced a partnership with the W.E.B. Du Bois Foundation to manage the Du Bois Centre and strengthen global visibility. Upgrades at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park are also underway.
A New Era for Tourism and Culture
Madam Gomashie said, "Tourism, culture, and creative arts are contributors to jobs, revenue, and national identity… with clear results in digitisation, infrastructure, skills development, we remain committed to job creation, culture preservation, private sector partnerships, and inclusive growth." The minister emphasized the importance of the creative economy in driving development and promoting Pan-African unity.
The Africa Festival of Arts and Creatives is set to be a major event in Accra, showcasing the diversity and excellence of African arts and culture. With its focus on promoting investment, entrepreneurship, tourism, innovation, and skills development, the festival is expected to provide opportunities for thousands of Ghanaians in the tourism and creative arts sectors.
Source: Joy Online
