Lagos, Ghana Forge Stronger Cultural and Creative Ties

Lagos, Ghana Forge Stronger Cultural and Creative Ties

Lagos, Nigeria – April 26, 2025 –
In a major step towards strengthening regional collaboration in the creative and tourism industries across West Africa, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on Friday hosted a high-level delegation from the Ghana Creative Arts Agency at its headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.

Welcoming the delegation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the engagement as a vital opportunity for knowledge sharing, institutional partnerships, and sustainable growth within the creative sector.

“Lagos does not compete. We create and collaborate,” Benson-Awoyinka said. “It is a pleasure to host our brothers and sisters from Ghana. This engagement is about synergy, shared learning, and laying the foundation for cross-border support systems that benefit creatives across the region.”

The Commissioner emphasized Lagos' prominent role as a cultural and creative hub in Africa, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to a comprehensive, year-round calendar of tourism and cultural events. She noted that consistent programming would further cement Lagos’ reputation as a premier destination for arts, culture, and tourism.

Highlighting the economic potential of the creative industry, Benson-Awoyinka described creativity as a formal economic sector capable of significantly boosting local and regional economies when properly developed.

She also pledged the Ministry’s full support for the upcoming Speed Boat Racing and Creative Summit scheduled for October 2025, describing it as an innovative platform to celebrate Lagos’ waterfront culture and showcase diverse creative talents.

Benson-Awoyinka stressed the importance of institutional support, sustainable public-private partnerships, and youth empowerment to drive growth across all areas of the creative economy.

In her remarks, Mrs. Bisi Omojare, Director of Creative Arts at the Ministry, outlined the operational framework that encourages creatives — from architecture to comedy — to register with the Ministry. This initiative allows registered creatives to access government endorsements and support for local and international opportunities.

Leading the Ghanaian delegation, Acting Executive Secretary of the Ghana Creative Arts Agency, Mr. Gideon Aryeequaye, praised Lagos’ structured approach to cultural development and expressed Ghana’s commitment to building similar frameworks at home.

“We have always admired Lagos from afar, and this visit has confirmed why you are regarded as a big sister in the creative space,” Aryeequaye said. “Our mission here is to learn, collaborate, and grow together.”

Aryeequaye also discussed the reforms undertaken by Ghana’s Creative Arts Agency since 2020 and proposed future collaborations, including immersive exchanges, joint talent showcases, and collaborative media projects that promote Afrocentric ownership of creative assets and resist cultural dilution.

The visit marks a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Lagos and Ghana’s creative sectors, fostering a shared vision of regional cultural prosperity.