Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Launches Revised National Cultural Policy to Boost Economic Growth

Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang officially launched Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy on June 8, 2026, at the National Theatre in Accra. This landmark policy serves as a strategic roadmap designed to preserve the nation’s rich heritage while simultaneously enhancing the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) to foster economic growth and social transformation. Replacing the previous 2004 version, the updated framework is the result of seven years of extensive stakeholder consultations and represents a significant shift in how the state perceives and utilizes cultural assets for national progress.

The new policy is closely aligned with international and regional development frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. During the ceremony, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that culture must be viewed as a vital tool for national development, moving beyond its traditional social perception to become a driver of innovation and social cohesion. By integrating culture into national planning, the government aims to strengthen national identity and leverage cultural assets for job creation and economic empowerment.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, highlighted that the policy focuses on several key pillars, including governance, society, technology, and economic regulation. A major objective of the revised policy is to provide creative entrepreneurs with better access to finance and technical support. Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, who presented highlights of the policy, underscored its role in ensuring that the creative sector contributes meaningfully to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while maintaining the integrity of Ghana's diverse traditions.

The launch event also saw participation and support from international partners, including the European Union and UNESCO, who reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ghana’s cultural heritage as a driver for sustainable development. Vice President Opoku-Agyemang concluded by calling on all stakeholders within the cultural and creative industries to collaborate effectively to realize the policy's objectives. She noted that the successful implementation of this roadmap would require a unified effort to unlock the full potential of Ghana's culture for the benefit of future generations.