At the recent 2025 International Tourism Summit in Oyo State, Nigeria, Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku—former Ghanaian Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, presented Ghana’s tourism strategy as a blueprint for sustainable development in Africa.
Speaking on the theme “Heritage as Capital: Reimagining Africa’s Cultural Assets for Sustainable Growth”, Afeku urged African nations to reposition cultural heritage as a driver of economic transformation.
As Special Guest Speaker and panelist, the former Minister shared insights from Ghana’s globally recognised “Year of Return” initiative, which she spearheaded during her tenure.
She highlighted government-backed strategies that engaged the African diaspora and attracted international attention, including high-profile cultural diplomacy and investment-driven campaigns.
Catherine Afeku emphasised the critical role of political will and visionary leadership in Ghana’s success, calling on Oyo State to adopt similar measures to promote its heritage assets. Her address was met with strong support from summit participants, including policymakers and heritage advocates, who echoed the need for pan-African collaboration in leveraging culture for growth.
Organised under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, with technical coordination by Commissioner Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, the summit reinforced cultural heritage as a viable pillar for development.
Catherine Afeku’s contribution was widely acknowledged as instrumental in advancing cross-border dialogue on cultural policy and tourism-led economic strategies.
Story: Kakale Adams
