Ghana earns $4.34bn from 1.3m tourist arrivals in 2025 – Tourism Minister

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, has disclosed that Ghana generated an estimated US$4.34 billion in tourism receipts from 1.3 million international tourist arrivals in 2025.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 10, 2026, Ms Gomashie outlined developments and achievements recorded in the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors since assuming office.

According to the Minister, Ghana recorded 1,303,962 international tourist arrivals in 2025, an increase from the 1,288,804 arrivals recorded in 2024.

She said the growth in international arrivals contributed significantly to the country’s tourism earnings, with the sector generating an estimated US$4.34 billion during the year.

Domestic tourism records growth

She also highlighted growth in domestic tourism, revealing that visits to tourist attractions increased from 1.68 million in 2024 to 1.79 million in 2025, representing a 7% increase.

The Minister said Ghana’s 10 most visited tourist attractions collectively recorded 1,377,588 visits in 2025, accounting for approximately 27% of all domestic tourism site visits nationwide.

The leading attractions were:

• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Kakum National Park
• Bunso Arboretum Eco Park
• Cape Coast Castle
• Manhyia Palace
• Kumasi Zoo
• Accra Zoo
• Elmina Castle
• Shai Hills Resource Reserve
• Agri-Botanical Garden

Gomashie noted that only three of the 10 leading attractions are directly under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, with the others managed by different institutions.

She said the figures demonstrate the continued importance of Ghana’s tourism attractions to both domestic and international tourism and underscore the need for sustained investment in their development and management.

Creative arts fund

The Minister also provided an update on government efforts to support Ghana’s creative industries through a proposed creative arts fund.

She said the fund is expected to stimulate production, improve the quality of creative content, create jobs and strengthen Ghana’s intellectual property position in both domestic and international markets.

“The fund is anticipated to catalyse production activity, improve content quality, create jobs, strengthen Ghana’s intellectual property for both domestic and international markets,” she said.

Ms Gomashie disclosed that work was ongoing to finalise the modalities for operationalising the fund, with the Ministry of the Attorney-General involved in the process.

National Theatre gets strategic plan

The Minister further disclosed that the government has developed a 2026–2030 strategic plan for the National Theatre to improve the facility’s operations and maximise its contribution to the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors.

She said the strategic plan was launched in March 2026 and is intended to provide a clear direction for the management and development of the National Theatre.

“We have successfully crafted a strategic plan 2026 to 2030 to guide the running of the National Theatre of Ghana and ensure its optimal contribution to the tourism, culture, and creative arts industry,” Ms Gomashie said.

She added that the Ministry had also negotiated support from a German theatre group, resulting in the donation of a 40-foot container filled with lighting and sound equipment for the National Theatre.

The Minister said the interventions form part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative arts sectors and position them as important contributors to economic growth, employment and national development.