Okre MP Urges Tourism Minister to Focus on Domestic Tourism and Commercialise Festivals and Funerals

The Member of Parliament for the Okre Constituency in the Eastern Region, Hon. Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, has called on the incoming Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Ablah Dzifah Gomashie, to prioritise domestic tourism and explore the commercialisation of festivals and funerals to generate revenue for national development.

Hon. Kenneth made this appeal during his contribution to a motion on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, January 23, 2025, to adopt the Appointments Committee’s report on ministerial nominations.

He highlighted the untapped potential of Ghanaian funerals, which are rich in cultural displays, and suggested their inclusion on the tourism calendar to attract foreign visitors.

“There should be a special agency to document and promote our funerals, especially those of chiefs and important public figures. The culture of laying in state and the accompanying ceremonies are unique and could generate significant revenue if marketed well,” he stated.

The MP also emphasized the need to move beyond mere attendance at festival durbars and fully utilize the week-long traditional festivities to showcase Ghana’s cultural heritage. Citing the Tuesday of Odwira in Okre, he described the vibrant traditional displays involving fetish priests and priestesses, which could be a major attraction for tourists.

“The uniqueness of our traditions, like the Tuesday of Odwira in my district, with its procession of possessed fetish priests and priestesses, is an incredible cultural exhibition. Commercializing these events will not only promote our culture but also boost tourism revenue,” he added.

Hon. Kenneth urged the Minister to explore these opportunities to tap into Ghana’s cultural wealth, stressing that tourism, if effectively harnessed, could address many of the country’s economic challenges.

This call serves as a reminder of the vast potential within Ghana’s tourism sector, particularly through the lens of cultural and traditional experiences, which remain largely underexploited.

Source: parliamentnews360.com