By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Nov. 05, GNA—Madam Abla, Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, says the ministry is positioning fashion as a strategic pillar of Ghana’s creative economy.
That she explained will have the potential to create jobs, drive entrepreneurship, and boost exports.
Speaking at the maiden Black Star Fashion Week Summit in Accra, she said fashion went beyond what people wear to become an expression of identity and heritage and must be treated as an economic opportunity.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s cultural heritage, from Kente and Adinkra to traditional weaving, beadwork and contemporary textile design, provided a rich foundation for fashion innovation.
“Fashion must be recognised as a strategic pillar of Ghana’s creative economy. It has the potential to generate employment for our youth, stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investments, increase exports, and strengthen our international cultural influence,” she said.
The summit is expected to culminate in the Presidential Runway on Saturday, November 7, at the Royal Senchi Hotel, Akosombo.
The four-day event, running from November 4 to November 7, 2026, is on the theme “Put Ghanaian Fashion in the World”. It is presented by the Black Star Experience Secretariat in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Creative Arts Agency and the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The Summit brings together policymakers, academia, industry leaders and development partners for masterclasses and panel discussions. Key topics discussed included standardising fashion education, protecting the heritage of Kente, strengthening production capacity and linking fashion to tourism and trade.
Madam Abla Gomashie noted that the fashion value chain was extensive and expensive, starting from cotton and raw materials through textile production, weaving, dyeing, design, garment manufacturing, tailoring, modelling, photography, styling, marketing, retail and international distribution.
“Every garment presented on this runway represents the collective effort of several individuals and enterprises. Art is a collaborative work,” she emphasised.
Beyond the glamour of the runway, Madam Abla Goamshie, also the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ketu South, said the sector should be seen as a significant source of livelihood and decent employment, adding that with investment, improved production capacity and access to markets, it could create thousands of jobs for young people.
On the link between fashion and tourism, she said the three sectors — fashion, culture and tourism — were interconnected and mutually reinforcing, with culture giving fashion its identity, fashion giving culture contemporary expression, and tourism providing an international platform for commercialisation.
The Minister proposed integrating fashion weeks, textile exhibitions, cultural festivals, heritage tours and creative markets into Ghana’s national tourism offerings. “Under this approach, tourists will not only visit historic forts, beaches and festivals but also experience fashion, visit textile production centres and commission Ghanaian designers,” she said.
She also referenced the Black Star Experience, clarifying that it was not just an event but a recognition of Ghana’s identity as a country of 16 diverse regions, aimed at promoting Ghana as a year-round destination for culture, entertainment, fashion, music and heritage.
The Minister in her address also acknowledged pioneers who had helped establish Ghana’s reputation in fashion, including President John Dramani Mahama, and recognised the contributions of textile producers, designers, models, photographers and other creatives.
She, therefore, disclosed that through the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, the government had supported the review of the National Culture Policy but noted that implementation would be the true measure of success, to be judged by businesses sustained and income generated for women and youth.
As a result, she called for support for local designers and local production, urging Ghanaians to deliberately choose Ghanaian products, from food and clothing to music, to strengthen local industries.
“Creativity is our most renewable resource. Let this gathering move us from the runway to the marketplace,” she said, adding that initiatives like the Black Star Fashion Challenge could help unearth the next internationally recognised fashion house from Ghana.
Speaking at the Summit, Rex Owusu Marfo, Coordinator, Black Star Experience, called for collaborative efforts in building a fashion industry that was commercial, globally competitive, culturally authentic and capable of creating lasting opportunities for generations to come.
“Let this be more than a gathering. Let it be the beginning of strong partnership, commitments and practical solutions,” he said.
Mr Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative Ghana, called for a commitment to measurable economy, outcome and opportunity, particularly when the industry contributed to 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.
“When we invest in culture, we invest in the future of Ghana and Africa. So let’s together put on Ghana and Congo is coming,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Email: [email protected]