The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, engaged with top leaders in the arts and creative industries across Columbus, Ohio, to strengthen Ghana’s global tourism brand through the creative arts.
During the first week of November 2025, the GTA CEO, Maame Efua Houadjeto met with distinguished cultural leaders and organizations, including Michael Reese, Founder and President of Columbus Artway Inc.; Leda Hoffmann, Artistic Director of The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio; Jason Gay, Vice President of Operations at CAPA; Amy Drake, celebrated Playwright and Producer; and Tom Katzenmeyer, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC).
The meetings centered on forging partnerships that connect Ghana’s vibrant art scene with international investors, art patrons, and institutions. A key outcome was a shared commitment to bring creative investors and arts patrons to Ghana in the first quarter of 2026 to explore collaboration opportunities with local artists, galleries, and cultural enterprises.
In an interaction, Ms. Houadjeto emphasized that Ghana’s creative economy holds immense potential to attract both tourists and investors.
“The arts tell the story of our people — they are the soul of Ghana’s tourism identity,” she noted. “This collaboration is not only about cultural exchange, but about creating sustainable pathways for investment, mentorship, and global visibility for Ghanaian artists.”
The Columbus engagements built on the growing relationship between Ghana and the City of Columbus, following a series of bilateral forums earlier in the year.
The discussions with CAPA, GCAC, and other partners explored the potential for hosting Ghana arts showcases in Columbus; establishing artist-in-residence exchanges; facilitating investment tours for American art patrons; and co-creating arts education programs to nurture young Ghanaian talent.
