Prior to my appointment, I had no knowledge of Tourism, Arts, and Culture - Egyapa Mercer

Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, the designated Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, acknowledged his limited knowledge of the sector before his recent appointment.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in a meeting with industry practitioners in Kumasi, Ghana, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, expressed his reliance on the expertise of industry professionals to drive meaningful change and growth in Ghana's tourism and cultural landscape.

"Honestly, until February 14th (when I was appointed), I knew nothing about Tourism, Arts, And Culture. I knew absolutely nothing about it," Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer admitted, highlighting his background primarily as a lawyer and later as a parliamentary representative.

He further elaborated on his recent stint at the Ministry of Energy, prior to his appointment to the tourism ministry.

Acknowledging the potential of the tourism, arts, and culture sector in Ghana, Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to harness its transformative power.

"Considering my engagements since my appointment, I wish I had been introduced to the sector earlier because it is an extremely interesting and exciting space with huge potential for transforming our country and the economy," he remarked.

Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer underscored the historical lack of attention paid to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture by successive governments, urging a shift in focus towards the broader spectrum of creative arts and cultural preservation. "Even if they have, the focus has been more on Tourism rather than Creative Arts and Culture. That position, I think has to change," he asserted.

The Minister-designate recognized tourism's significant revenue-generating capacity but stressed the pivotal role of arts and culture in attracting visitors and fostering a vibrant cultural identity. "I admit tourism brings in a lot of revenue but it’s the arts, the culture, that would get people to want to come to Ghana and spend money here," Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer emphasized, signaling a commitment to fostering a holistic approach to sectoral development.

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