Minister For Tourism, Culture And Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie has launched the 2026 editions of the African Gastronomy Festival and the National Under-25 Heritage Photo Competition, calling on Ghanaians to protect and promote the country’s identity through food, photography and youth creativity.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, Gomashie said Ghana is ready to use culture and cuisine as tools for tourism growth, economic opportunity and stronger ties across Africa.

The two projects, she noted, will give young people and creative professionals space to showcase what makes Ghana unique.

Empowering Young Cultural Storytellers The National Under-25 Heritage Photo Competition is designed to get young photographers to document Ghana’s heritage before it fades.

Gomashie said the aim is to build a new generation of cultural documentarians who can capture festivals, traditions, architecture, landscapes and daily life.

“This competition is about building a generation of young cultural documentarians and ambassadors who will preserve Ghana’s heritage for decades to come,” she said.

“We want young people to use their creativity to showcase our festivals, traditions, architecture, landscapes and everyday cultural life.

Heritage is not only inherited, it is created, lived and protected by people.” She praised participants from the first edition and said giving young creatives platforms to contribute is key to national development.

Photography, she added, allows young people to tell authentic African stories in their own voice instead of relying on outside narratives.

Food As Tourism And Diplomacy Tool On Afro-Gastro 2026, the Minister said Ghana intends to position itself as the continent’s culinary hub by putting indigenous food and knowledge at the center of tourism promotion.

“This year’s Afro-Gastro Festival will highlight indigenous ingredients, forgotten recipes, preventive health, culinary tourism and youth-led innovations in the food sector,” she said.

“We are bringing together chefs, nutritionists, food historians, entrepreneurs and traditional food practitioners from across Africa because we believe Ghana can become the culinary hub of the continent.” Gomashie explained that Ghana’s food culture is one of its strongest tourism assets.

From jollof and waakye to banku, fufu and local soups, the country’s dishes....