A new convention bureau and an SSNIT convention centre anchor Ghana's bid to host more global conferences.

Published 13 Nov 2026, 07:38 GMT

3 min read

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson at the dispatch box presenting the 2027 Budget in Parliament — Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presents the 2027 Budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026

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Ghana is to set up a professional convention bureau in 2027 to compete for recurring African and world conferences, the 2027 Budget has announced.

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, unveiled the bureau plan when he presented the 2027 Budget to Parliament on Thursday.

The goal, in the Budget's words, is to position Ghana as West Africa's first choice for international conferences and business tourism.

To push that goal forward, SSNIT is to build and run, at the La Trade Fair Centre, an ultra-modern international convention centre.

The Budget describes it as a landmark venue that will bring major international gatherings to Ghana.

Accra will anchor the drive as the principal international hub.

Kumasi is to grow as a supporting destination, leaning on its cultural heritage to stage business, cultural and other big events.

The Budget also promises tax incentives for SSNIT to build five hotels by 2030: five-star hotels in Accra and Kumasi, and modern four-star hotels for the Cape Coast and Elmina heritage corridor, the Volta Region and northern Ghana.

A new National Theatre in Kumasi is to follow as an asset for culture, performance, conferences and the creative industries.

Conferences are meant to stretch the visitor economy beyond December. December in Ghana remains the anchor, with heritage journeys, ancestry services, family reunions and the creative arts filling the rest of the year, and the Black Star Experience running through all twelve months.

By 2030, the Budget is counting on more arrivals, longer visits, bigger visitor spending and healthier foreign-exchange earnings, with the benefits reaching farmers, food vendors, transport operators, craftspeople, artists, technology firms and event businesses.

What the Budget does not say

The Statement attaches no budget to the bureau and says nothing about its legal setup, staffing or when in 2027 it will launch.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

Ghana Convention Bureau to be set up in 2027 to bid for global conferences

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