Ghanaian Creative Arts delegation strengthens ties with Lagos Tourism Ministry

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Aiming to strengthen the creative and tourism industries across West Africa, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on Friday hosted a high-level delegation from the Ghana Creative Arts Agency at the Ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.

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

“Lagos does not compete. We create and collaborate,” the Commissioner stated. “It is a pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from Ghana. This engagement is about synergy, shared learning, and building cross-border support systems that benefit creatives throughout the region.”

Highlighting Lagos’ leading role as a cultural and creative hub in Africa, Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing a comprehensive, year-round calendar of tourism and cultural events. She emphasized the economic potential of the creative sector, describing it as a formal industry capable of significantly boosting the local economy when properly harnessed. “Creativity is a vast industry, and everyone has a role to play in its advancement,” she added.

The Commissioner also pledged the Ministry’s full support for the upcoming Speed Boat Racing and Creative Summit scheduled for October 2025, describing it as an innovative platform to showcase Lagos’ waterfront culture and diverse creative talents. She stressed the importance of institutional backing, sustainable public-private funding, and youth empowerment across all creative disciplines.

Mrs. Bisi Omojare, Director of Creative Arts at the Ministry, elaborated on the operational framework that encourages creatives — from architects to comedians — to register with the Ministry. This system enables them to access endorsements and receive government support for local and international events.

Leading the Ghanaian delegation, Acting Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana, Mr. Gideon Aryeequaye, expressed admiration for Lagos’ structured approach to cultural development and affirmed Ghana’s commitment to building similar frameworks.

“We’ve always admired Lagos from afar, and this visit has confirmed why you are regarded as a big sister in the creative space,” he said. Mr. Aryeequaye proposed future immersive exchanges, joint talent showcases, and collaborative media projects to promote Afrocentric ownership of creative assets and resist cultural dilution between the two organisations.