The joint team of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts with the percussion icons
“Professor Younge is not only bringing people to Ghana, but he’s also creating bridges, leading people from Ghana to the world and back. He’s helping build ambassadors for our country by providing opportunities for cultural exchange and learning.”
These were the heartfelt remarks of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, as she officially welcomed the world-renowned Ju Percussion Group to Ghana on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra.
Led by Ghanaian-born Professor of Music at Ohio University, Dr Paschal Yao Younge, the Ju Percussion Group is embarking on a 10-day cultural immersion and exchange tour across the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, and Eastern Regions.
The tour aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and showcase Ghana’s rich artistic heritage through engagements with local artists, institutions, and creative communities.
Commending Professor Younge’s continued dedication to promoting Ghanaian culture globally, Gomashie praised his visionary efforts to connect Ghana with the world through the arts.
“When I see people with equal passion, I want them to experience Ghana at a time when leadership is aligned with their vision,” she said, expressing hope that the group’s visit will coincide with the tenure of John Dramani Mahama, whom she acknowledged for his unwavering support for the creative arts sector.
While the group will not be traveling to northern Ghana, the ministry has committed to ensuring they experience authentic northern Ghanaian culture through curated activities and performances in Accra.
Professor Younge used the opportunity to advocate for innovation in Ghana’s performing arts landscape.
“The world is changing, and we are required to change with it,” he stated, calling for a shift from traditional drumming and dance toward a more diverse and contemporary artistic expression that reflects global trends.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister, Yussif Issaka Jajah, and key ministry officials, including Joseph Kwesi Amoah, Chief Director; Divine Kwame Owusu Ansah, Director of Culture and Creative Arts; Dr Alphonse Kumaza, Acting Director of Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPBME); and Kofi Ohene Benning, Director of Finance and Administration.
The upcoming cultural tour is expected to deepen international artistic collaboration, spark new creative synergies, and reaffirm Ghana’s position as a vibrant hub for cultural diplomacy and global artistic exchange.
