Abeiku Santana is the Deputy CEO of the GTA
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Santana, has defended the inclusion of foreign artistes in events supported by the GTA.
According to him, such situations are necessary in promoting Ghana as a premier cultural and economic Pan-African destination and boosting tourism in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A to Z on January 10, 2026, Santana addressed growing public concern over Nigerian and other foreign artistes headlining shows, particularly those partnered with the GTA.
“I’m not saying that we shouldn’t give preferential treatment to our locals, but what is wrong with it if our African neighbours come to our country? What is wrong with that? If there’s nothing wrong with that, then why are we crying about it?” he questioned.
He reiterated that Ghana’s tourism mandate is to market and promote the destination broadly, including attracting visitors from across the African continent, in line with long-standing Pan-African ideals.
“If not for the European invasion and partition of Africa, we’d be one people. But we’re no longer one people. In the wisdom of Nkrumah and the founding fathers of the AU in 1963, the vision was to have a united Africa. Ghana has always been home for Africans. When we say that we are Ghana, we are the gateway to Africa, and we are the trailblazers of pan-Africanism and all that; it is not just a mere wishful saying. How are we to achieve this position if we don’t allow other Africans to come to the country?” he asked.
From an economic perspective, Santana explained that showcasing Ghana as a hub for intra-African exchange and tourism strengthens the country’s case when pitching for international funding and investment.
There’s nothing wrong with bringing in foreign artistes for our shows – Socrate Safo
He argued that not many African destinations can match Ghana’s appeal as a cultural capital that attracts visitors from across the continent.
“Nigeria cannot boast or pride themselves that they host other African countries. But our position has been that we are the cultural capital of Africa.
“Economists and the finance people know the kind of argument they do behind the scenes, and they can use us as data to support their pitching. We had an event to have Nigerians all come in here. Can Nigeria show any data that they are the number one cultural capital of Africa that enjoins other African countries? So, there’s an economic reason or interpretation behind some of these things,” he noted.
While affirming the economic and cultural benefits of foreign participation in events, Santana acknowledged public outcry and announced that going forward, GTA-supported shows will generally prioritise local talent.
“Going forward we would reduce the number of foreign artistes, maybe one foreign artiste and 10 Ghanaian acts,” he pledged.
ID/AE
