Consider music for tourism promotion – Minister

The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah has called for the consideration of using Ghanaian music to promote tourism in the country.

“Culture is our major tourism product and music is part of our culture. It is therefore very important that we consider music as a tool for tourism promotion,” she said.

The Tourism Minister was speaking at the launch of the 10th anniversary of the Ghana Music Awards Festival at the La Beach Hotel in Accra.

She indicated that because the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) acknowledges the role of music in promoting tourism, it has stated in its manifesto to provide support for the entertainment industry. She said the government intends to provide support through the enactment of an Entertainment Industry Act to provide incentives for the promotion and commercial development of Ghanaian music, art, dance and drama.

She said the development of music is high on the agenda of the government, promising, “I shall do my best to work with you musicians and stakeholders to make this a reality.”

According to the minister, music tourism belongs to what is known as Niche Tourism. She said the trend in tourism is moving away from Mass Tourism to Niche Tourism such as sports tourism, ecotourism, culinary tourism, adventure tourism and music tourism.

She therefore called on the Musicians Association of Ghana (MUSIGA) and other related organizations to come up with ideas to develop the frame work that would lead to the promulgation of the Entertainment Industry Act.