The National Commission on Culture (NCC) and Sika Arican Tourism, Arts and Culture (SATACC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting cultural and spiritual tourism in Ghana. The strategic partnership is expected to strengthen cultural exchange, promote heritage preservation, and boost tourism-driven economic development between the NCC and SATACC.
The MoU was signed at a brief, but significant ceremony held in the Board room of the Commission, where representatives from both organizations underscored the importance of culture as a powerful tool for uniting peoples and advancing socio-economic progress.
The Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, Mr. Wakefield Ackuaku in a remark revealed the critical gap in how Ghana embraces its indigenous identity.
The Director highlighted that there is a glaring oversight as places of worship have been allocated for Christians and Muslims at the Kotoka International Airport, but there is no spiritual space to the traditional custodians of the land, the guardians of Ghana’s ancestral heritage.
According to him, this realization sparked a meaningful conversation about equity in cultural representation and the urgent need for traditional spirituality to be given its rightful place in public and national spaces.
“We understand that in our effort to modernize and open our doors to the world, we have inadvertently silenced the voices of our founding fathers, the very soul of this land,” the Director stated.
He emphasized the shared vision behind the agreement and reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to use culture as a catalyst for tourism and development, which will open new avenues for creative collaborations, cultural education, and sustainable tourism growth.
The Chief Executive Officer of SATACC, Adepa Sika stated that the agreement reflects the growing cultural synergy between NCC and SATACC. “We are excited to work with NCC to design programmes that not only attract tourists but also celebrate and preserve our shared African heritage.”
Adepa reflected on the journey that led to the signing of the MoU, saying this initiative began as a small, hopeful idea just a conversation about how we could use culture as a between people and as a driver of tourism,
“It has been a long and sometimes challenging road, marked by moments of uncertainty and countless behind-the-scenes efforts. But we are here today because we never gave up. We believed in the vision, we kept moving forward, and we surrounded ourselves with people who shared that belief,” she added.
She emphasized that the success of the initiative is a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and shared purpose.
“Today’s milestone reminds us that no idea is too small if there are passion, commitment, and the right people working together. This MoU is more than a document, it’s a symbol of resilience and what can be achieved when we stay the course,” she said.