The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA), in collaboration with key partners, has reviewed findings from the pilot implementation of the Culture 2030 Indicators in Accra.
The validation workshop brought together local and international stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry, UNESCO, the European Union, and tourism associations, to assess Ghana’s progress, identify gaps, and map out practical next steps.
The Culture 2030 Indicators framework, developed by UNESCO, comprises 22 thematic indicators designed to measure and monitor culture’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both national and local levels.
The indicators enable governments and cities to evaluate culture’s role in development across four key areas: environment and resilience, prosperity and livelihoods, knowledge and skills, and inclusion and participation.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said the pilot exercise had provided Ghana with valuable evidence-based insights to guide policymaking.
She noted that the findings would support stronger institutional coordination, increased investment, and improved data systems to better harness the potential of the cultural and creative industries.
“It will strengthen our development strategies and help us produce credible national and local cultural data on how much culture impacts our communities,” she said.
Madam Gomashie added that the next phase of the process would focus on disseminating the findings and raising awareness about the outcomes, while encouraging stakeholders to provide recommendations to ensure the effective integration of culture into Ghana’s development agenda.
Mr Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, described the exercise as timely, particularly as the country prepares to launch a new cultural policy.
He said the Culture 2030 Indicators offered a strong evidence base to support policy implementation, noting that Ghana was among over 25 countries and cities globally applying the framework.
According to him, the data generated would serve as a critical resource for policy formulation, strategic investment, and informed decision-making.
“Your work at the urban level provides a blueprint for how cities can use cultural data to drive local inclusion and environmental stewardship. Today’s workshop marks a significant milestone and signals the beginning of a continuous process,” Mr Moukala said.
Mr Timothy Dolan, Team Lead for the Economic, Private Sector and Trade Section of the EU, emphasised the importance of data-driven policies in advancing the creative and cultural sectors.
He said the industries remained a powerful engine for development globally but required strong regulatory frameworks backed by reliable data.
“We all know the adage that if you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it. Evidence and data are important building blocks because they allow us to make informed decisions tailored to support cultural sectors,” he said.
