An Open Letter to Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture

Dear Honourable Minister,

Late last night, while reflecting on how ordinary citizens might contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of our distressed national economy, a simple but powerful idea occurred to me. Ghana could introduce a levelling‑up initiative that empowers young people to build their own path to financial independence—literally—by constructing canoes with outriggers along the shoreline of Lake Bosomtwi in the Ashanti Region.

Such an initiative would allow us to reimagine and modernise Ghana's traditional canoe‑building sector while significantly reducing the tragic accidents that occur when heavily loaded canoes capsize. Outrigger canoes, known for their exceptional stability, could transform water transport safety on our lakes and coastal waters.

A practical starting point would be to collaborate with Patricia Kyei, the dynamic entrepreneur who owns the WildWin Resort on the shores of Lake Bosomtwi. With support from a Commonwealth grant, Ghana could bring in an expert outrigger canoe builder from a Pacific Commonwealth nation to train local artisans. This is a realistic, high‑impact “seed idea” with the potential to become a legacy project for your ministerial team.

Beyond safety and skills development, this initiative could anchor a new eco‑friendly economic pillar within Ghana's tourism sector. With over 1.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 (Ghana Tourism Authority), and growing global interest in adventure, cultural, and sustainable tourism, outrigger canoe building and lake‑based tourism could become a distinctive attraction. Lake Bosomtwi—already a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—offers the perfect environment to pilot such a programme.

Key Benefits

Enhanced safety: Outrigger canoes offer far greater stability, reducing capsizing risks and improving safety on lakes and coastal waters.
Job creation: A vibrant outrigger canoe industry would generate employment in craftsmanship, tourism, guiding services, and local supply chains.
Cultural preservation: Reviving and upgrading traditional canoe‑building techniques helps safeguard Ghana's heritage while integrating modern safety innovations.
Environmental stewardship: Promoting eco‑tourism supports conservation efforts and strengthens community‑based sustainable development.

Proposed Actions

Establish an Outrigger Canoe Building Centre at Lake Bosomtwi in partnership with WildWin Resort and local stakeholders.
Apply for a Commonwealth grant to fund expert training, tools, and equipment.
Develop a community‑centred business model that supports young entrepreneurs and local artisans.
Explore opportunities to replicate the model along Ghana's coastline, island communities, and fishing villages around the Volta Lake.

This initiative aligns strongly with Ghana's tourism development priorities and offers a practical, high‑impact pathway for job creation, cultural revitalisation, and sustainable economic growth. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further and help move it to the next stage.

Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards,
Kofi Thompson

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