Ghana Launches UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators to Integrate Culture into Development Goals
Ghana has taken a bold step toward embedding culture in its national development agenda with the official launch of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators. The initiative, unveiled at the Accra Tourist Information Centre (ATIC), was spearheaded by Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Gomashie posed a pivotal question: “What is culture’s contribution to our dear nation’s GDP?” She described the launch as a strategic milestone, enabling Ghana to adopt evidence-based tools that measure culture’s real impact on national progress.
“These indicators will provide us with a clear methodology to track our progress, quantify the role of cultural employment in GDP, and make a stronger case for investments in arts, heritage, and creative industries,” she emphasized.
She further noted that this initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing culture as a critical pillar of inclusive development. Hon. Gomashie highlighted that the framework would also reinforce the implementation of Ghana’s National Culture Policy.
“Our cultural richness provides a foundation for unity and inclusion,” she remarked, stressing how cultural diversity contributes to social harmony and national identity.
UNESCO Country Representative Mr. Edmund Moukala N’gouemo affirmed the global importance of culture in driving development. “This project is a collaborative effort involving national institutions and local stakeholders, fully aligned with the five pillars of the 2030 Agenda: People, Planning, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership,” he said.
Dr. Osman Tahidu Damba, Acting Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, added that the Culture|2030 Indicators go beyond cultural heritage by positioning culture as both a driver and enabler of sustainable development across sectors.
The UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators offer a comprehensive framework for assessing how culture contributes to economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. With this adoption, Ghana positions itself as a trailblazer in leveraging culture for holistic national development.
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts