By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – Government must ensure that tourism, arts and culture initiatives outlined in the 2026 Budget translate into tangible results to include job creation, business growth and increased investment, Mr Caleb Kofie, Executive Director of the Service Excellence Foundation-Ghana, has said.
He said although some progress had been made in implementing the initiatives, delivery remained uneven, with several major commitments yet to produce measurable benefits for industry players.
Mr Kofie, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on Monday, in Accra, said digital tourism platforms, improvements to heritage sites and upgrades at the National Theatre were positive developments.
He also mentioned initiatives such as Accra by Night, which he said demonstrated the potential of tourism to generate business for restaurants, performers, transport operators, and other local entrepreneurs.
However, he said major commitments, including the Creative Arts Fund and Film Development Fund, as well as key infrastructure projects, must be assessed based on actual access, completion and impact rather than budgetary announcements and allocations.
He said although GH¢20 million had been allocated to each of the two funds in the 2026 Budget, public reporting available in November 2026 indicated that only GH¢5 million had been released for each, while key operational requirements remained outstanding.
“It is therefore premature to describe the funds as broadly accessible,” he said.
Mr Kofie called on the government to publish transparent eligibility criteria, application procedures, disbursement timelines and reports to enable musicians, filmmakers, event organisers and other creative entrepreneurs to benefit from the funds
He said the funds should support both emerging and established creatives, strengthen Ghanaian intellectual property and attract private investment into a sector with significant employment and export potential.
On tourism infrastructure, he said although digital platforms and renewed attention to heritage assets were helping Ghana to promote its tourism products, the benefits were not reaching all destinations equally.
He identified poor access roads, inadequate sanitation, unreliable utilities, limited signage, safety concerns, and inadequate financing as some of the challenges constraining tourism operators and local communities.
He said digital visibility alone could not guarantee a quality visitor experience, stressing the need to connect destination marketing with practical infrastructure, skills development and community participation.
This, he said, would ensure that increased visitor interest translated into longer stays, higher visitor spending and improved incomes for local people.
Mr Kofie said progress had been reported on improvements to the National Theatre in Accra, while the proposed second National Theatre in Kumasi and the Marine Drive Project remained important expectations for the sector.
He noted that the government had indicated that priority was being given to completing existing cultural projects in the Ashanti Region before advancing the proposed Kumasi theatre.
Marine Drive had also undergone revisions as the government considered its investment and implementation approach, he added.
He attributed delays in the projects to financing, planning, land, regulatory, and coordination challenges.
He urged the government to publish clear project timelines, funding arrangements, procurement plans, and quarterly progress updates to strengthen public and investor confidence.
Mr Kofie said Ghana’s 2025 tourism performance, which included approximately 1.3 million international arrivals, estimated receipts of US$4.34 billion and growth in domestic site visits, demonstrated the sector’s economic potential.
However, he cautioned against attributing those figures to the 2026 Budget, saying the government had yet to provide a consolidated public scorecard showing the direct impact of its 2026 interventions on employment, small and medium-sized enterprises, investment and community incomes.
He said the government must prioritise transparent reporting, completion of ongoing projects, timely release of approved funds, and improved infrastructure at tourist destinations.
He also called for accessible financing for local businesses and measures to address the cost of doing business, particularly taxes, utility charges and regulatory burdens.
He said the private sector required predictable policies and reliable infrastructure to invest, expand operations, and create employment.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei