Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Cairo ahead of the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), scheduled for tomorrow, November 1.
The landmark ceremony, hosted under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, will bring together world leaders, cultural icons, royals, and dignitaries from across the globe.
Overlooking the storied Giza Pyramids, the GEM stands as the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single ancient civilization.
Valued at over $1 billion and two decades in development, the museum showcases more than 5,000 years of Egyptian heritage, including 4,500 artifacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, many of which will be displayed publicly for the first time.
President al-Sisi has described the museum as “a symbol of Egypt’s leadership in global culture.”
The opening was originally slated for July but was postponed amid regional developments.
Its inauguration is now expected to be among the most significant cultural gatherings on the international calendar this year.
The realization of the museum was made possible through extensive collaboration between Egypt and Japan.
Japan supported the project with ¥84.2 billion (approximately $800 million) in soft loans provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Japanese experts also trained hundreds of Egyptian conservators and museum professionals to support sustainability and world-class conservation standards.
The ceremony comes at a time of renewed growth in Egypt’s tourism sector.
Tourism revenues climbed to $14.4 billion during the 2023–2024 fiscal period, with 15 million international visitors recorded in the first nine months of 2025—signaling strong global confidence in Egypt’s cultural and heritage offerings.
President Mahama’s participation reflects Ghana’s deepening engagement in global cultural diplomacy and Africa’s collective efforts to preserve and promote world heritage narratives.
The President was accompanied by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, and Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Stanislav Xoese Dogbe.
Also representing Ghana at the event are Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie; and Director of Operations at the Presidency, COP Nathan Kofi Boakye (Rtd).
The Grand Egyptian Museum stands not only as a breathtaking celebration of ancient civilization but also as a renewed symbol of international cooperation merging history, innovation, diplomacy, and shared cultural identity.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
