Ghana is positioning tourism as a catalyst for peace promotion, job creation and national development by leveraging its religious tolerance, cultural heritage and interfaith harmony.
Mrs Alisa Osei-Asamoah, Chief Executive Officer of Rialy Consult, said Ghana’s longstanding religious harmony provided a strong foundation for using tourism to promote social cohesion and stimulate economic growth.
She made the observation at the maiden Interfaith Tourism Conference 2026 in Accra, held on the theme: “Tourism as a Catalyst for Peace Promotion, Job Creation and Development.”
The conference brought together faith leaders, traditional authorities, tourism practitioners and government officials to explore the role of tourism in promoting peaceful coexistence and economic development.
Mrs Osei-Asamoah said tourism had evolved beyond leisure to become a powerful tool for economic growth, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
She said Ghana’s harmony among Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and other faith communities remained one of the country’s greatest strengths and continued to enhance its attractiveness to visitors.
“Ghana has long been recognised as a beacon of peace and religious tolerance in Africa. This harmony is one of our nation’s greatest strengths and an important reason why Ghana continues to attract visitors from across the globe,” she said.
Mrs Osei-Asamoah said churches, mosques, shrines and cultural festivals constituted valuable tourism assets that could contribute significantly to local and national development if preserved and promoted responsibly.
She stressed that sustainable tourism could not thrive without peace, urging stakeholders to strengthen collaboration among faith communities to maximise the sector’s potential.
Mr Ernest Kwadwo Boateng, President of the Interfaith Tourism World Club, said the Club was promoting tourism as a vehicle for peace, nation-building and economic empowerment under its motto, “One World, One People.”
He announced plans to establish an interfaith tourist site that would showcase the history and traditions of Christianity, Islam, Traditional Religion and other faiths at a single location.
“We believe that all faiths have to come together. Not necessarily to worship together, but to understand and collaborate in peace promotion and job creation. When we do that, it will become a medium for development for our nation,” he said.
Mr Boateng questioned why Ghana could not derive greater economic benefits from religious tourism, as had been achieved by destinations such as Mecca and Israel.
He pledged the Club’s commitment to promoting policy dialogue, peace and national development through tourism.
Mr Kilian Bunuso Gyader, Deputy Director in charge of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME) at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to positioning tourism, culture and the creative arts as strategic drivers of economic transformation.
He said tourism served as an instrument of diplomacy and a bridge for religious understanding, stressing that peace was fundamental to investment, travel and sustainable development.
“Without peace there can be no investments. Without peace there can be no travel. Without peace there can be no sustainable development,” he said.
Mr Gyader highlighted the Black Star Experience as the Government’s flagship initiative to position Ghana as Africa’s preferred cultural and heritage destination through year-round festivals, exhibitions and community tourism activities.
He said the initiative was expected to create employment opportunities for young people and women while promoting inclusive growth and strengthening Ghana’s cultural tourism offering.
