The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has intensified calls for greater support for community-based tourism, following her participation in the 2026 Vodza Easter Regatta.

The event, headlined by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, drew national attention to the coastal community of Vodza in the Volta Region, with key government and tourism stakeholders in attendance.

Among them were the Volta Regional Minister, Dzifa Gunu, the Board Chair of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Gertrude Emefa Donkor, as well as members of the GTA Board.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, was represented by the Deputy CEO in charge of General Services, Ben Anane Nsiah, who attended with a delegation from the Head Office and Regional Directorates in the Volta and Oti Regions.

Marking its fifth anniversary, this year’s Regatta recorded strong patronage and heightened visibility, further boosted by the Ghana Tourism Authority’s first official partnership with the event—an indication of a strategic shift towards supporting grassroots tourism initiatives.

Welcoming the Vice President, Gomashie stressed the need to harness Ghana’s cultural and natural assets to drive inclusive growth and local economic development. She explained that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority, is scaling up investment in regional festivals to position them as globally competitive attractions.

“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.”

She added that the Ministry’s approach is anchored on collaboration, innovation and strategic partnerships, citing the GTA’s engagement with the Regatta as a blueprint for similar initiatives nationwide.

The Minister also commended the people of Vodza for preserving their maritime heritage and sustaining an event that celebrates identity, resilience and community pride.

Featuring canoe races, cultural displays and strong community participation, the 2026 Vodza Easter Regatta continues to grow into one of the Volta Region’s flagship Easter events.

With increasing institutional backing and high-level patronage, the festival is steadily emerging as a key driver of domestic tourism, in line with government’s broader goal of decentralising tourism and expanding opportunities across all regions.