The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture collaborates with Ghana to boost tourism and the creative sector across West Africa through knowledge exchange and joint initiatives

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has announced a strategic collaboration with Ghana aimed at fostering growth and strengthening the tourism and creative industries across the West African region.

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This partnership was formalized following a visit by a high-level delegation from the Ghana Creative Arts Agency to the ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.

During the engagement, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the meeting as a “strategic opportunity for knowledge exchange, institutional partnerships, and sustainable growth in the creative sector.”

Emphasizing the collaborative spirit, Commissioner Benson-Awoyinka stated, “Lagos does not compete; we create and collaborate. It is a pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from Ghana.

This engagement is about synergy, shared learning, and laying a foundation for cross-border support systems that benefit creatives throughout the region.”

Lagos does not compete; we create and collaborate. It is a pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from Ghana. This engagement is about synergy, shared learning, and laying a foundation for cross-border support systems that benefit creatives throughout the region.” – Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture.

She highlighted Lagos’ leading role in Africa’s cultural and creative landscape and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to establishing a consistent, year-round calendar of tourism and cultural events to solidify Lagos as a premier destination.

She also underscored the significant economic potential of the creative industry when properly harnessed.

Leading the Ghanaian delegation, the acting Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana, Mr Gideon Aryeequaye, expressed admiration for Lagos’ structured approach to cultural development.

“We’ve always admired Lagos from afar, and this visit has confirmed why you are regarded as a big sister in the creative space. Our purpose here is to learn, collaborate, and grow together,” Aryeequaye said.

Reflecting on the transformation of Ghana’s Creative Arts Agency, Aryeequaye suggested future collaborative initiatives, including immersive exchanges, joint talent showcases, and collaborative media projects, emphasizing the need for partnerships that promote Afrocentric ownership of creative assets and resist cultural dilution.