MOTCCA, GTA advance trade partnerships and promotes Black Star Experience During U.S. Trade Mission

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts and Ghana Tourism Authority has concluded a successful trade and investment mission to the United States, with official visits to Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit Michigan and Columbus, Ohio aimed at strengthening economic ties, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing tourism and the Black Star Experience.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, and included Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

At the core of the mission was the goal of establishing and expanding trade and investment relationships across key U.S. cities. The delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, business chambers, universities, and cultural organizations to position Ghana as a viable hub for international investment, tourism and trade across diverse sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, education, creative industries, and hospitality.

In Memphis, the delegation was hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa). 

The visit built on the momentum from the 2022 Memphis in May International Festival, when Ghana was the honored country and a sister-city agreement was signed.

Discussions focused on expanding this partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism promotion, and education. Notably, the University of Memphis, which enrolls over 200 Ghanaian students, was highlighted as a key partner in fostering academic and cultural exchange.

In Detroit, the delegation engaged with both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders around investment collaboration. City and business leaders expressed strong interest in working with Ghana on initiatives in real estate development, entertainment and culture.

Plans are underway to organize a Ghana Cultural Fair in Detroit to celebrate Ghana’s heritage while promoting economic opportunities. In Columbus, Ohio, where Ghana remains the only country with a sister-city relationship, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Columbus.

 The meetings focused on trade, with stakeholders emphasizing a shared commitment to expanding business and exchanges between Ghana and Columbus-based institutions and investors.

Ghana recognizes the vital role that the global African diaspora plays in national development and continues to champion reconnection efforts. The delegation engaged the diaspora “Ghana is committed to creating meaningful pathways for the diaspora to return, not just for visits, but to invest, to collaborate, and to contribute.

Through the Black Star Experience, we invite our brothers and sisters across the globe to reconnect with their roots while becoming active participants in Ghana’s future.”

 The Black Star Experience serves as a unifying platform, welcoming global Africans and partners alike to engage with Ghana through heritage tourism, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity for both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders looking to connect with Ghana,” said Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto.

Next steps in international outreach include upcoming missions to New Orleans, New York,  Washington, D.C., and other key cities across the U.S., as part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and global collaboration under the Black Star Experience.