Cassiel Ato Forson earmarks $1bn for tourism and creative arts in 2027 budget

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced a $1 billion investment into Ghana’s tourism, culture, and creative arts sectors to transform the nation into a year-round visitor destination. Presenting the 2027 Budget Statement to Parliament on November 12, 2026, the Minister explained that this funding, under the government’s "New Economy" programme, is designed to boost foreign exchange earnings and stimulate job creation. The initiative aims to leverage Ghana’s reputation for peace and its rich historical significance to solidify the country's position as a leading hub for both leisure and business tourism in West Africa.

A central pillar of the investment involves enhancing the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. To achieve this, the government plans to establish a professional convention bureau by 2027 to attract recurring international conferences, with Accra as the primary hub and Kumasi as a secondary venue. Infrastructure developments include the construction of an ultra-modern international convention centre by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) at the La Trade Fair Centre. Furthermore, the government will provide tax incentives for SSNIT to construct five new hotels by 2030, including two five-star establishments in Accra and Kumasi, and four-star hotels in the Volta Region, Northern Ghana, and the Cape Coast-Elmina heritage corridor.

The strategy also seeks to expand the popular "December in Ghana" concept into a sustained "Black Star Experience" that operates throughout the entire year. Dr. Forson detailed plans for a national events calendar that promotes heritage tourism, including accurately preserved sites related to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Additional projects include the completion of a new National Theatre in Kumasi and the establishment of a Ghana Medical Tourism Hub to link healthcare facilities with international visitors. This comprehensive approach is intended to benefit a broad spectrum of the economy, including local artists, transport operators, and the agricultural sector.

By upgrading cultural assets and hospitality infrastructure, the government targets a significant increase in tourist arrivals and spending by 2030. Minister Forson emphasized that these investments will create high-quality jobs and provide a sustainable driver for economic growth. The "New Economy" initiative represents a strategic shift toward diversifying the nation's revenue streams through the creative and visitor economies, ensuring that Ghana's cultural heritage serves as a foundation for modern social and economic development.