Ghana to Revamp Slave Trade Heritage Sites, Museums and Cultural Attractions Under US$1bn Tourism Plan

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has outlined plans to transform Ghana’s heritage and cultural tourism sector through a proposed US$1 billion investment in tourism, culture and the creative arts.

The initiative, announced in the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, seeks to use Ghana’s historical sites, cultural identity and creative industries to attract visitors throughout the year, generate foreign exchange and create employment opportunities.

Under Pillar Five of the budget, the government intends to place particular emphasis on preserving forts, castles and other historical sites connected to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Dr Forson stated that these sites must be treated with historical accuracy, dignity and care, recognising their significance to Ghana’s history and their importance to visitors seeking to understand the country’s past.

The proposed interventions will include the conservation of physical heritage assets, strengthening of museums and archives, improvement of multilingual interpretation and training for conservators and tour guides.

The government also plans to improve connections between historical sites and surrounding communities through better roads, public spaces, hotels, transport services, Ghanaian food businesses and other local enterprises.

According to the budget, conservation must guide construction and development around heritage attractions, while communities are expected to participate in telling their own histories.

The approach is intended to ensure that heritage tourism does not focus solely on preserving buildings but also creates economic opportunities for the people and businesses connected to those attractions.

Beyond historical sites, the government is also seeking to expand Ghana’s cultural and creative tourism offerings through the Black Star Experience, which is expected to operate throughout all 12 months of the year.

The programme will be supported by a national calendar of events and competitive destination-bidding arrangements designed to spread tourism activities across different seasons and regions.

The strategy is expected to turn cultural festivals, heritage experiences and other events into bookable tourism packages, giving international visitors more reasons to travel to Ghana outside the traditional December in Ghana period.

The government also plans to complete a new National Theatre in Kumasi, which is expected to provide space for cultural performances, conferences and other creative industry activities.

The facility is intended to strengthen Kumasi’s position as a destination for cultural and business events while creating opportunities for performers and other professionals in the creative arts sector.

The broader US$1 billion tourism investment also includes plans to develop accommodation and conference infrastructure in different parts of the country, including hotels in the Cape Coast and Elmina heritage corridor, the Volta Region and Northern Ghana.

The government believes that linking historical attractions with improved accommodation, transport and local businesses will encourage visitors to explore more destinations and spend more time in the country.

Dr Forson indicated that the overall ambition is to build a year-round visitor economy that generates foreign exchange, supports creative enterprises and creates better jobs across the country.

By 2030, the government expects the investment to deliver higher tourist arrivals, longer visitor stays, increased spending and stronger economic benefits for local communities.

The success of the plan will depend on how effectively Ghana preserves its historical assets, promotes its cultural identity and ensures that the communities whose heritage attracts visitors also benefit from the tourism opportunities created.