Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has described culture as one of the country’s most powerful tools for national development, calling on Ghanaians to embrace their heritage while harnessing innovation and technology to create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the launch of the Revised Ghana National Cultural Policy at the National Theatre in Accra, the Vice President said the policy provides a comprehensive framework for preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage while strengthening the country’s creative and cultural industries.
According to her, protecting cultural traditions and investing in the creative sector will contribute significantly to education, employment creation, social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities across the country.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that the revised policy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which recognise culture as a critical pillar for sustainable development and continental integration.
She stressed that Ghana’s rich history and cultural heritage remain central to the nation’s identity, pointing to the country’s forts, castles and slave dungeons as enduring reminders of a painful past that must continue to inform efforts towards justice, healing and human dignity.
The Vice President also highlighted recent achievements in promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage, including the international recognition of Kente as a geographical indication and the inscription of Highlife music on global heritage registers, describing both as significant milestones for the country.
She further underscored the transformative role of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in preserving indigenous languages, promoting Ghanaian culture and creating new opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs.
However, she cautioned that technological advancement must remain rooted in Ghanaian values and be directed towards improving livelihoods and generating employment for the youth.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, young people and the Ghanaian diaspora to ensure the successful implementation of the revised cultural policy.
She also welcomed the validation of UNESCO’s 2030 Culture Indicators and announced funding support for a Film Development Fund aimed at strengthening Ghana’s creative ecosystem.
The Vice President concluded by urging all stakeholders to work together to unlock the country’s cultural and creative potential, insisting that culture should not only be viewed as an expression of national identity but also as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and national development.
