2025 Ghana Heritage Month to strengthen national cohesion

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has encouraged Ghanaians to seize the opportunity of the 2025 Ghana Heritage Month to explore tourist destinations across the country, reconnect with nature and enjoy leisure experiences.

She highlighted that each of the 16 regions could offer unique attractions, food, music, dance, customs and traditions that were worth discovering to promote national unity.

The GTA CEO gave the charge at a media launch of the 2025 Ghana Heritage Month in Accra yesterday. She also urged Ghanaians to wear traditional clothing throughout the month to support the local textile industry.

Event

The Ghana Heritage Month is an initiative of the GTA geared towards encouraging patronage of prominent festivals, food, clothes, music, arts and crafts, events, tourist sites and attractions across the country.

The event brought together dignitaries such as the Deputy CEO of the GTA, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana; the Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko; the Director of Blackstar Experience, Rex Omar; the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Charge of Operations, GTA, Eko Sampson, and the Deputy Chief Executive, General Services, GTA, Ben Anane Nsiah.

Also in attendance were the President of the Tour Operators Union, Alisa Osai Asamoah; the President of the Ghana Hotels Association, Dr Edward Akanyamike Jnr; the President of the Chefs Association of Ghana, Michael Quainoo; the National Trustee, Ghana Hotels Association, Kwame Appiah Dankwah, and the Greater Accra Regional Chairperson, Ghana Hotels Association, Claire Banoeng-Yakubu.

Showcasing cultural diversity

Mrs Houadjeto also urged tourism businesses, including hotels, restaurants and guest houses, to showcase local food and drinks as part of their offerings, particularly during the celebration of Heritage Month.

"This celebration truly underscores the importance of embracing the diversity of our cultures, customs and traditions as we reclaim our pride and dignity as Ghanaians.

"We urge Ghanaians to explore unique places of interest, connect with nature, enjoy leisure, and benefit from the associated health advantages.

It’s essential to remember that each of Ghana’s 16 regions boasts distinct attractions, food, music, dance, customs, traditions, and more.

"I encourage tourism enterprises such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, guest houses and nightclubs to prominently feature our local food and drinks in their menus or as snacks, showcasing their variety during the celebration of Heritage Month," she stated.

Black Star Experience

The GTA CEO further explained that the government's flagship tourism initiative, the Black Star Experience, was to position Ghana as the gateway to Africa for the diaspora, through curated cultural and creative arts experiences, as well as collaborations with the private sector and diplomatic missions.

The Black Star Experience, Mrs Houadjeto added, would feature street carnivals, film weeks, a fashion festival, food fairs, theatrical performances, concert party competitions, and monthly domestic tourism promotions.

"The Black Star Experience will be our unique Ghanaian tourism brand, which will include the Pan-African month. We will also strategically promote meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) to promote our tourism," she added. 

Activities

Presenting an overview of the activities planned for the month-long celebration, the Deputy CEO of GTA, Mr Aggrey Santana, stated that Heritage Month, together with the Ghana Music Month, which was underway, would help shine a spotlight on and promote Ghanaian music.

He also mentioned the Heritage Caravan, an eight-day road trip organised by CITI FM / Channel One TV, in partnership with the GTA, as part of the schedule.

"The food fair, an initiative of the Ghana Tourism Authority, will showcase 68 traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dishes, highlighting the country’s rich agricultural produce and create business opportunities for food entrepreneurs," he said. 

"Also, the Gob3 Festival seeks to bring together vendors and lovers of the favourite “Gari and Beans” to showcase their food with breathtaking experiences. We don't want to leave out the GenZs out so at the University of Ghana, Legon City Mall, all the students will come to appreciate the nutritional value, the cultural elements and why they should eat Gob3," he said.

Mr Santana outlined other key activities marking the celebration, including the Ghana Culture Week, the Gob3 Festival, the Made in Ghana Rave at Kwaadaso, the Akwaaba Festival at the National Theatre, and the Food Fair.