The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepening engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora as a strategic pathway to building year-round tourism and sustaining growth in the culture and creative arts sector.
She made this known during a courtesy call by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, who are in Ghana to mark their 118th Founder’s Day celebrations, an event that has drawn significant numbers of visitors and cultural enthusiasts to the country.
Diaspora as Partners, Not Visitors
Hon. Gomashie emphasized that diaspora groups are not merely tourists but key partners in national development, capable of driving sustained interest in Ghana’s heritage, festivals, creative industries, and local economies beyond traditional peak periods.
She assured the delegation that activities proposed by diaspora organisations would be carefully reviewed for possible collaboration with the Ministry and its agencies, adding that further engagements are planned to deepen stakeholder participation and unlock long-term benefits for the tourism sector.
“Our goal is to ensure that tourism thrives throughout the year, not just during seasonal peaks,” the Minister noted, stressing that structured diaspora engagement is essential to achieving this vision.
Diaspora Capacity to Drive Tourism Growth
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Diallo Sumbry of The Adinkra Group disclosed that about 500 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are currently in Ghana, a clear demonstration of the diaspora’s capacity to mobilise people, resources, and global attention in support of tourism, culture, and the creative arts.
He highlighted that culturally significant periods across the calendar year—not only December—offer powerful opportunities to promote Ghana as a vibrant destination rooted in history, identity, and shared heritage.
Beyond “December in GH”
Both parties expressed optimism about building stronger, more intentional partnerships that move Ghana beyond a seasonal tourism model. Advocates say such collaboration could boost local businesses, create jobs, and sustain cultural institutions while positioning Ghana as a living, breathing cultural destination year-round.
The engagement reinforces growing calls for a tourism strategy that fully harnesses the influence, loyalty, and global networks of the diaspora—transforming heritage visits into long-term cultural and economic partnerships.
As Ghana looks to consolidate its gains in tourism and cultural diplomacy, the message is clear: the diaspora is ready, the opportunities exist, and the time to act is now.
