Ambassador Dr. Stephen Kojo Sackey, a respected Ghanaian UN Goodwill Peace Ambassador, has made a compelling appeal to world leaders to adopt cultural placemaking as a strategic tool for fostering economic growth, trade investment, and social development.
Dr. Sackey highlighted the transformative power of arts, culture, and heritage in creating vibrant communities and driving economic prosperity. “To achieve meaningful social impact, we must recognize the integral role of arts, culture, and heritage in shaping our environments and enhancing our quality of life,” he stated. He called on traditional authorities and government leaders to collaborate in developing public spaces that connect with both local residents and international visitors, promoting cultural values and economic vitality.
Ghana exemplifies successful cultural placemaking with landmarks such as the Bunsu Arboretum, Aburi Botanical Garden, Wli Waterfalls, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Manhyia Palace, Okomfo Anokye Sword, Cape Coast Castle, Paga Zenga Crocodile Pond, and Kintampo Waterfalls in the Bono East Region. These sites have revitalized local areas, attracting global tourists and boosting the local economy. “We must value and promote placemaking in our societies,” Dr. Sackey emphasized.
In the United States, the neighborhood of Meshanticut in Cranston, Rhode Island, serves as an exemplary model of placemaking. Known for its Victorian homes, cottages, capes, and the popular Meshanticut State Park, the area draws thousands of tourists annually. The park, which surrounds Meshanticut Lake, offers summer fishing and winter ice skating, significantly contributing to the community’s appeal and economic health.
Tourism is a key economic driver for Ghana, particularly with visitors from the United States. In 2023, nearly 134,000 Americans visited Ghana, contributing to a total of 1.1 million tourist arrivals for the year. This marked a significant increase from previous years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthened ties between Ghana and the United States have resulted in tourism forex earnings for Ghana amounting to US$1.5 billion annually. In 2022, the hotels and restaurants sector alone contributed an estimated 3.9 billion Ghanaian cedis (approximately 257.3 million U.S. dollars) to Ghana’s GDP.
Dr. Sackey also noted the mutual tourism exchange, with many Ghanaians visiting prominent U.S. tourist sites such as Times Square, which attracts about 50 million visitors annually. This exchange has reinforced economic, social, and investment relations between Ghana and the United States.
Emphasizing the need for Indigenous involvement in tourism development, Dr. Sackey stated, “While placemaking can drive economic growth and infrastructure development, the indigenous people of each placemaking area are best equipped to detail their tourist sites and narrate the historical significance of the area.”
Dr. Sackey cautioned against the exploitation of cultural assets, which can alienate Indigenous communities, perpetuate cultural exploitation, and threaten biodiversity. He urged world leaders to ensure Indigenous communities are included in decision-making processes related to tourism development to preserve authenticity, promote mutual understanding, and ensure that cultural tourism benefits all stakeholders.