Aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edem Segbefia, has called on party grassroots across the country to actively promote the transformational achievements of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration in the tourism, culture and creative arts sector.
Addressing party grassroots representatives during an interactive engagement in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Segbefia described the reforms undertaken by the Mahama administration as a remarkable turnaround that has repositioned Ghana’s tourism and creative economy as a key driver of employment, national identity and economic growth.
According to him, before the NDC returned to office in January 2025, the tourism, culture and creative arts sector had suffered years of neglect, inadequate investment and limited opportunities for ordinary Ghanaians.
“Our culture was not creating wealth for our people. Tourism sites were deteriorating, our creative talents were struggling to survive, and the economic benefits of tourism hardly reached our communities.
Ghana’s identity was admired around the world, yet many Ghanaians were not benefiting from it.”
Dr. Segbefia said President Mahama’s vision of “Ghana: Our Culture, Our Jobs, Our Pride” has fundamentally changed the sector by making tourism and the creative economy important pillars of job creation, national development and cultural preservation.
He highlighted several interventions by government, including an aggressive international tourism promotion campaign positioning Ghana as the Gateway to Africa through branding at airports, embassies and global media platforms.
He further noted that major heritage sites including Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, Manhyia Palace and several coastal forts are undergoing restoration with modern visitor centres to enhance the tourist experience.
According to him, government has also expanded ecotourism initiatives in the Volta and Eastern Regions, upgraded beach tourism infrastructure in Greater Accra and the Central Region, reduced travel processing times for tourists and secured additional direct international flights into Accra.
Dr. Segbefia stated that funding for festivals, museums and traditional councils has increased by 60 percent, while the celebration of Ghana Month activities in March and September has become a national platform showcasing Ghanaian fashion, food, music, dance and culture with active participation from schools, markets and local communities.
He also outlined major interventions aimed at supporting Ghana’s creative industry.
These include grants and skills development for kente weavers, bead makers, potters, drummers and dance groups, improved facilities at the National Theatre and regional cultural centres, enhanced remuneration for artists and free performance opportunities for community cultural groups.
He disclosed that government has established a GH¢200 million Creative Arts Fund to provide low-interest loans and grants for musicians, filmmakers, comedians, fashion designers and digital content creators.
Creative hubs equipped with free internet, editing studios and training facilities have also been established in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale to support young entrepreneurs in the digital economy.
Dr. Segbefia further explained that government has strengthened copyright enforcement to ensure faster royalty payments to musicians while introducing tax incentives for film productions shot in Ghana.
He added that monthly “Made-in-Ghana” creative markets have been introduced in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi to provide reliable markets for locally produced fashion, crafts, music and food products.
Government, he said, has also provided stronger institutional support for major cultural events including Homowo, Hogbetsotso, Aboakyer, Damba, PANAFEST, the Ghana Music Awards and the rebranded Black Star Fest.
According to him, the “Culture in Every School” programme has restored the teaching of traditional dance, drama and crafts to help preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Dr. Segbefia revealed that these reforms are already yielding significant economic results, with tourism receipts increasing by 42 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, more than 800,000 international tourist arrivals recorded, and over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs created across hospitality, transportation, entertainment, fashion, food services and tour operations.
Benefits to Grassroots Communities
Dr. Segbefia emphasized that the greatest beneficiaries of these reforms are ordinary Ghanaians.
He explained that thousands of young people are finding employment as tour guides, hotel workers, drivers, event vendors, security personnel, photographers, DJs, makeup artists, musicians and performers.
Market women are earning more income through the sale of food, beads, kente, crafts and souvenirs, while tailors and fashion designers are benefiting from increased demand for Made-in-Ghana clothing during festivals and tourism activities.
He added that improvements in roads, lighting and sanitation around tourism destinations are enhancing living conditions within host communities, while increased tourism revenues are supporting investments in schools, health facilities and local infrastructure.
Traditional authorities and cultural organisations, he noted, are also receiving stronger support to preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
Call to Action for NDC Grassroots
Dr. Segbefia urged constituency and branch executives to help identify and connect eligible young people to opportunities created under government’s tourism and creative arts programmes.
He encouraged musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, digital creators and entrepreneurs to apply for grants and low-interest loans under the Creative Arts Fund.
He also urged youth to enrol in training programmes at the digital creative hubs, while food vendors, craft sellers, guest house operators and event service providers should register with the Ghana Tourism Authority to participate in festivals and tourism activities.
He further encouraged dance troupes, drama groups and drummers to register with regional cultural directorates for paid performances, while drivers should join recognised tourism transport associations to benefit from increased visitor arrivals.
Addressing party supporters, Dr. Segbefia said, “When your sister receives support to expand her kente business, when your son earns an income as a DJ at Black Star Fest, when your community festival receives government support, and when your market records increased sales during Ghana Month, that is the NDC government delivering for the people.”
He further appealed to grassroots executives to invite officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Creative Arts Agency to educate communities on available opportunities.
Sustaining the Transformation
Dr. Segbefia maintained that President Mahama has restored confidence in Ghana’s tourism and creative economy.
According to him, government has rehabilitated historic sites, expanded access roads to tourist destinations and beaches, strengthened partnerships between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority and industry players, and created an enabling environment for private investment.
He stressed that the revival of Ghana’s cultural economy represents more than tourism.
“It is about creating jobs, protecting our heritage, strengthening national pride and ensuring that the economic benefits of our culture reach every community.”
He therefore called on party members to become ambassadors of government’s achievements by promoting Ghana’s culture online, supporting local festivals and helping young people access available programmes.
“The prestige of belonging to the NDC is that we are the party that restored confidence in Ghana’s culture, created jobs through creativity and made our nation proud again,” he said.
“When your sister sells her beads to a tourist, when your brother secures a film grant, when your Homowo festival is successfully organised with government support, when Jamestown and Labadi Beach are bustling with visitors, that is the NDC working for the people.”
Dr. Segbefia concluded by urging party supporters to continue sharing government’s successes within their communities.
“Tell the story everywhere,” he said. “The NDC is creating jobs through culture.
The NDC is making Ghana proud. The NDC is ensuring that the benefits of tourism, culture and creative arts reach every family, every community and every grassroots supporter.”
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
