Minister commends Ghanaians abroad

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has commended the Ghanaian Diaspora for their initiative of promoting Ghana's Tourism and Culture potential abroad.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare, who was the Guest of Honour at this year's Ghana Festival, dubbed "GhanaFest", held on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Washington Park in Chicago, Illinois, said it was because of the increase in Tourists visiting Ghana that the Ministry has initiated a number of projects to develop and market the country's tourism potentials to attract more investments.

She said Tourism, apart from creating jobs for the unemployed; it has also become a major foreign exchange earner for many countries including Ghana that is why the government is investing in the sector to encourage local entrepreneurs to go into the Tourism industry.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare affirmed government's intention to create an enabling environment for investors adding "events like Ghanafest makes government's investment in the Tourism sector is a step in the right direction".

The Tourism Minister said she was happy to see young Ghanaians in the Diaspora playing different roles at Ghanafest, all in the name of preserving the country's rich cultural heritage especially in the face of today's technological advancement.

To Ghanaians born in the Diaspora, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare implored their parents not lose sight of the fact that even though they are residing in a foreign land, they are first and foremost, Ghanaians and therefore incumbent on them to teach their children the customs, traditions and culture of their home country.

Mr Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah, President of the Ghana National Council (GNC), in his welcome address, said it was the intention of the Council to use the 2015 Ghanafest to expose Ghana to prospective investors, tourists and skilled professionals who want to do business or live in Ghana.

He advised Ghanaians, especially those in the United States of America (USA) to be proud of their home land; as the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence from the British and endowed with great natural and human resources; there is every reason to make Ghana their first priority in their dealings with members of the Diaspora.

The Chair person for the occasion, Mrs. Beatrice Mensah Tayui, was full of praise for the Ghanaian Community and said they have been worthy Ambassador of Ghana.

Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America, His Excellency, Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd) was present at the festival, also present was the representative of the Mayor of Chicago.

This year's Ghanafest, the 27th since its inception, displayed Ghana's rich culture and was the toast of thousands of patrons in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The event, which is one of the leading gatherings of Ghanaians living in the United States, brought together thousands of people, amidst the pomp and pageantry by the traditional leadership of the various Ghanaian Associations.

The festival saw a display of Ghana's ethnic representatives (Chiefs and Queen mothers) parading through the Washington Park with traditional rhythmic renditions of their various groupings.

Ghana's delegation to this year's Ghanafest, led by the Minister for Tourism and Culture was made up of Hon. Kofi Eric Opoku-Afrifa, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Queen mothers from Ghana, Ghanaian Actors and Actresses of the movie industry and members of the creative industry.

Information section

Ghana Embassy

Washington DC