By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, March 3, GNA – Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has welcomed a proposed non-binding Statement of Intent between Ghana and Austria aimed at enhancing cooperation in tourism, culture, and the creative arts.
Receiving an Austrian delegation at the Ministry, she reiterated Ghana’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and identified key collaboration areas, including gastronomy, music, dance, and the broader creative economy.
Madam Gomashie also highlighted investment opportunities in tourism, such as establishing a world-class hospitality school and developing large-scale infrastructure to support Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
“Ghana is ready to facilitate partnerships through public-private partnerships and build-operate-transfer models,” she stated.
Mr. Joseph Schellhorn, State Secretary at Austria’s Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, confirmed that both countries had agreed in principle to establish a scholarship exchange programme.
The initiative would allow participants to spend one year in each country, reinforce institutional ties, and foster people-to-people’s cooperation.
Mr. Schellhorn noted that the recent opening of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Accra is designed as a platform for collaboration with Ghanaian institutions in fields such as academia, science, fine arts, sculpture, textiles, and other creative sectors.
“Arts and culture remain central to Austrian diplomacy as effective tools for dialogue and bridge-building,” he said.
Mr. Schellhorn highlighted Austria’s strong performance in tourism, with around 150 million overnight stays annually, and expressed Austria’s readiness to share expertise in hospitality management, tourism education, and destination branding.
He also referenced past scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students at Austrian tourism schools and outlined plans to send Austrian teachers and experts to support local training initiatives.
Mr. Schellhorn emphasised the importance of a clear destination identity, accessibility, culinary branding, and strong connectivity in attracting visitors, noting that Austria’s focus on culinary tourism had significantly boosted its tourism sector.
He was accompanied by JĂĽrgen Heissel, the Austrian Ambassador to Ghana.
GNA