Accra: Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah, the Chief Executive Officer of Rialy Consult, highlighted Ghana's efforts to leverage its religious tolerance and rich cultural heritage to promote social cohesion and economic growth, with tourism playing a pivotal role in fostering peace, employment, and national development. She shared these insights at the inaugural Interfaith Tourism Conference 2026 in Accra, themed 'Tourism as a Catalyst for Peace Promotion, Job Creation and Development.'
According to Ghana News Agency, the conference gathered faith leaders, traditional authorities, tourism practitioners, and government officials to discuss collaborative strategies for achieving these goals. Mrs. Osei-Asamoah emphasized that tourism has transformed from merely leisure and recreation to a powerful instrument for economic growth, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence. She noted that Ghana's longstanding harmony among Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, and other faith communities continues to be a significant attraction for global visitors.
Mrs. Osei-Asamoah remarked that Ghana is recognized as a beacon of peace and religious tolerance in Africa, contributing to its appeal as a destination. She highlighted that the country's churches, mosques, shrines, and cultural festivals are valuable tourism assets that can significantly contribute to local and national development if preserved and promoted responsibly. She also stressed the importance of peace for the flourishing of sustainable tourism.
Mr. Ernest Kwadwo Boateng, President of the Interfaith Tourism World Club, noted that the organization seeks to promote tourism as a means for peacebuilding, nation-building, and economic empowerment. He announced plans to establish an interfaith tourism site to showcase the history and contributions of various faiths. He emphasized the importance of understanding and collaboration among different faiths to leverage tourism for national development.
Mr. Boateng questioned Ghana's potential to benefit from religious tourism and pledged the Club's commitment to advancing policy dialogue, peace, and national development through tourism. Mr. Kilian Bunuso Gyader, Deputy Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, reaffirmed the Government's dedication to positioning tourism, culture, and creative arts as strategic economic drivers under President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr. Gyader described tourism as an instrument of diplomacy and a bridge for religious understanding, stressing the necessity of peace for investment, travel, and sustainable development. He highlighted the Black Star Experience, a Government initiative to position Ghana as Africa's preferred cultural and heritage destination through year-round festivals, exhibitions, and community tourism programmes. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities for young people and women, promoting inclusive economic growth.