Ghana has formally accepted an invitation to participate as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week scheduled to take place in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026, following an official invitation extended to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

The invitation delivered by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré, underscores the importance of preserving and renewing cultural and social values while promoting intergenerational dialogue in the face of evolving social and cultural dynamics.

Receiving the delegation, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, welcomed the invitation and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy between the two countries, emphasizing that despite changing political contexts, Ghana and Burkina Faso remain bound by deep historical and cultural ties.

She noted that the festival presents an opportunity to empower young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector, assuring her counterpart of Ghana’s full participation, stating that the country would assemble a strong delegation to represent its cultural and creative industries.

Hon. Gomashie described the initiative as a strategic use of culture to deepen bilateral relations, enhance people-to-people connections and create economic opportunities for creatives in both countries. The Minister highlighted the importance of positioning culture at the centre of development and leveraging such platforms to support youth employment and regional integration.

The Burkinabè Minister, Gilbert Ouédraogo expressed appreciation for the warm reception and stressed the significance of collaborative planning to ensure a successful event. He underscored the strong cultural bonds between the two nations and reaffirmed his government’s readiness to work closely with Ghana to deliver a memorable festival with activities including cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.

In attendance were the Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creaive Arts, Mr. Joseph K. Amoah, Mr. Vitus Otto Langmagne, Director for Human Resource Management, Dr. Alphonse Kumaza, Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Mabel Cudjoe, Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management, Dr. Geoffrey Tamakloe, Director for Tourism, Mr. Divine Owusu-Ansah, Director for Culture and Creaive Arts, Dr. Richardson Commey Fio, Special Aide to the Hon. Minister and Mrs Christiana Akrong, the Director of Finance and Administration.

Ghana’s participation as Guest Country is expected to strengthen diplomatic relations between President John Dramani Mahama and President Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering greater collaboration within the creative ecosystem of both countries.

Source: Amen Gbeblewu – PR Unit – MoTCCA