Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to making the Volta Region a leading tourism destination through cultura
The report indicates that minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie has reaffirmed government’s commitment to making the Volta Region a leading tourism destination through cultural promotion, eco-tourism development and private sector investment.
It further notes that speaking at President John Dramani Mahama’s Citizens’ Engagement in Ho on Friday, Madam Gomashie stated the Volta Region was the first destination she visited after assuming office, highlighting the importance government attached to the region’s tourism potential.
She stated she met with the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, and subsequently engaged all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the region to identify unique tourism attractions within their jurisdictions.
“The responsibility of the assemblies is to identify what is unique and marketable in their districts, while the Ministry provides the technical expertise to package and promote those attractions both locally and internationally,” she said.
The Minister stated that, following a directive from President Mahama, she had met with Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza to discuss the rehabilitation of roads leading to major tourist attractions across the country.
She expressed optimism that the second phase of the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme would improve accessibility to tourism sites in the Volta Region.
Madam Gomashie stated the region possessed enormous eco-tourism potential, citing the Adaklu Mountain range in the Volta Region and the Likpe–Todome area in the neighbouring Oti Region as locations suitable for adventure tourism activities such as paragliding.
She, however, emphasised that tourism development was private sector-driven and called on investors to partner with the government to develop attractions into internationally competitive destinations.
“We provide policy direction, but tourism is driven by private investment. We are inviting investors to work with us to develop these sites and unlock their full economic potential,” she said.
The Minister highlighted the success of the Vodza Easter Regatta, organised in partnership with the Vodza Eco-Tourism Initiative, describing it as an emerging tourism product that had gained national attention following the participation of Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang during this year’s Easter celebrations.
She stated government intended to transform the southern coastal belt of the Volta Region into a vibrant cultural and marine tourism destination through strategic public-private partnerships.
Madam Gomashie identified attractions including the Wli and Agumatsa Waterfalls, Avu Lagoon, Hedzranawo Slave Market, Keta, Kedzi, Galosota and other coastal communities as key tourism assets capable of attracting domestic and international visitors.
She explained that although some attractions, particularly the Wli Waterfalls, were community-owned, government sought stronger collaboration with traditional authorities and local communities to ensure investments generated shared economic benefits.
The Minister announced that the Ghana Tourism Development Company had launched a digital tourism platform to showcase tourism businesses and attractions across the country.
