Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA), Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the need to reposition tourism as a tool for education and heritage preservation rather than mere commercial exploitation.

Speaking at the launch of the first Campus Tourism Office established by the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) at the University of Ghana (UG), the minister described tourism as an “educational enterprise” that must cultivate national pride and a deeper appreciation for Ghana’s history and culture.

According to her, the sector should inspire citizens, particularly young people, to protect and sustain the country’s cultural and historical assets for future generations, rather than viewing tourism solely as an avenue for revenue generation.

Minister Gomashie noted that tourism intersects with several academic and professional fields, including history, the arts, economics and environmental science, making it a powerful platform for experiential learning and skills development.

The newly launched campus office is designed to promote educational and domestic tourism through structured tour experiences for students and visitors. These tours will highlight important heritage and cultural landmarks on campus, including the UG Archaeology Museum and the UG School of Performing Arts.

The initiative is expected to not only deepen awareness of Ghana’s heritage but also help nurture the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals by exposing students to practical industry opportunities.

The launch event brought together key stakeholders from the tourism and education sectors, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and investing in programmes that support sustainable tourism development. 

The campus-based model could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across other tertiary institutions nationwide, further embedding tourism within Ghana’s educational landscape.

Present were UG Vice Chancellor Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, and Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) boss Marilyn Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, among others.