The Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening community-based tourism initiatives following her participation in the 2026 Vodza Easter Regatta, headlined by the Vice President of the Republic, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The Minister joined the Vice President at the vibrant coastal community of Vodza in the Volta Region, alongside the Volta Regional Minister, Honourable Dzifa Gunu; the Board Chair of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Gertrude Emefa Donkor; and other members of the GTA Board.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, was represented at the event by the Deputy CEO in charge of General Services, Ben Anane Nsiah, who attended with a delegation of Directors from the GTA Head Office, as well as Regional Directors from the Volta and Oti Regions.
This year’s Regatta—marking its 5th anniversary—drew significant patronage and national attention.
The event was also notable for the Ghana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) partnership with the Regatta for the first time, signaling a strategic shift toward deeper collaboration with community-led festivals.
Welcoming the Vice President to the event, Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie underscored the importance of harnessing Ghana’s cultural and natural assets to drive inclusive growth and local economic development.
She noted that the Ministry, working closely with the Ghana Tourism Authority, is deliberately scaling up support for regional festivals and heritage events to ensure they evolve into globally competitive tourism products.
“Our vision is clear—tourism must work for our communities.
Events like the Vodza Easter Regatta demonstrate the immense potential within our local economies. With the right partnerships and sustained investment, these platforms can transform livelihoods and position Ghana strongly on the global tourism map.”
The Minister further emphasized that the Ministry’s approach is anchored on collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships, pointing to GTA’s engagement with the Vodza Regatta as a model for future interventions across the country.
She also commended the people of Vodza for preserving their rich maritime heritage and for consistently delivering an event that celebrates identity, resilience, and community pride.
The 2026 Vodza Easter Regatta, characterized by thrilling canoe races, cultural performances, and vibrant community participation, continues to gain prominence as one of the Volta Region’s most anticipated Easter festivities.
With growing institutional support and high-level national patronage, the event is steadily evolving into a key pillar in Ghana’s domestic tourism drive—reinforcing the Ministry’s broader agenda of decentralizing tourism and unlocking opportunities across all regions.
