The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has deepened ties with key creative industry leaders in Columbus, Ohio, as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s tourism brand through the arts and attract global investment into the country’s creative economy.
During the first week of November 2025, Houadjeto met with a lineup of prominent arts and culture figures, including Michael Reese, Founder and President of Columbus Artway Inc.; Leda Hoffmann, Artistic Director of The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio; Jason Gay, Vice President of Operations at the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA); Amy Drake, playwright and producer; and Tom Katzenmeyer, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC).
The discussions focused on building partnerships to link Ghana’s vibrant art scene with international investors, institutions, and patrons.
A major outcome of the engagements was a shared commitment to bring creative investors and arts patrons to Ghana in the first quarter of 2026 to explore collaboration opportunities with local artists, galleries and cultural enterprises. Preparations for this cross-continental initiative are already underway.
Houadjeto described the partnership as a significant milestone for Ghana’s creative tourism sector, emphasising that the arts form the heart of Ghana’s cultural identity and have the potential to drive economic growth.
“The arts tell the story of our people—they are the soul of Ghana’s tourism identity,” she said. “This collaboration is not only about cultural exchange but also about creating sustainable pathways for investment, mentorship, and global visibility for Ghanaian artists.”
Her remarks align with the Ghana Tourism Authority’s ongoing “Experience Ghana” campaign, which aims to position the country as Africa’s leading cultural and tourism destination through film, music, fashion, theatre, and visual arts.
The Columbus meetings built on growing cultural relations between Ghana and the City of Columbus. Discussions with CAPA, GCAC, and other partners explored new areas of cooperation, including
- Hosting Ghana Arts Showcases in Columbus;
- Establishing artist-in-residence exchange programmes;
- Facilitating investment tours for American art patrons; and
- Co-developing arts education programmes for young Ghanaian creatives.
Michael Reese of Columbus Artway Inc. described the collaboration as “an exciting step toward an authentic cultural partnership that celebrates creativity and entrepreneurship between two dynamic cities.” Leda Hoffmann of The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio also praised Ghana’s rich storytelling heritage, expressing eagerness to explore collaborative theatre and performance projects.
The initiative forms part of the GTA’s broader strategy to merge tourism promotion with the creative economy—recognising artists, filmmakers, and performers as ambassadors of Ghana’s global identity. Through such partnerships, the Authority aims to boost creative exports, generate employment, and preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage.
As part of the agreement, a Creative Arts and Investment Delegation from the United States is expected to visit Ghana in early 2026. The delegation will tour Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast to engage with local creatives, experience Ghana’s artistic diversity, and explore investment opportunities in galleries, film studios, and art festivals.
The Columbus engagements mark a new chapter in Ghana’s cultural diplomacy—one that positions tourism not only as a driver of travel but also as a bridge for creativity, investment, and shared global storytelling.
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