The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, has emphasized the urgent need for Africa to take ownership of its heritage narratives if the continent aims to shape global perceptions and strengthen cultural pride among the younger generation.
She delivered this call during a one-day stakeholder engagement and capacity-building workshop on the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites in Africa, held in Accra on Monday, November 17.
According to the minister, Africa’s cultural and natural heritage continues to face challenges because the narratives that define these assets have often been framed by external voices. These externally shaped perspectives, she explained, have sometimes presented distorted or incomplete versions of Africa’s identity, reducing the continent’s rich history and heritage to stereotypes or oversimplified stories.
“Too often, the stories surrounding our heritage sites have been told from outside viewpoints, and this has not always worked in our favour,” Gomashie said. “In that regard, we recognise that our stories around these heritage assets must be told in a strategic way to shape how the world perceives Africa and how our younger generation values their origin. We must be in charge of the narrative of our story.”
To reinforce her message, the minister referenced a well-known African proverb: “Until the lion learns to write, the story will always glorify the hunter.”
This proverb, she noted, encapsulates the essence of Africa’s struggle for control over its own historical and cultural narrative. Without actively shaping and presenting its own stories, Africa risks allowing others to define its image and legacy.
Gomashie stressed that the time has come for African professionals, researchers, traditional leaders, and cultural custodians to take the lead in crafting narratives that reflect authenticity, dignity, and depth. She highlighted that storytelling is not merely about recounting history but also about framing a vision for future generations.
She further noted that the workshop marks a significant step in Africa’s broader efforts to align heritage conservation and promotion with the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global frameworks emphasize the role of culture in sustainable development, education, social cohesion, and peacebuilding.
“By enhancing the interpretation and presentation of our heritage, we contribute to sustainable tourism, cultural education, and community development while promoting mutual understanding and peace,” she stated.
The minister also underscored the role of heritage interpretation in building stronger communities. Properly presented heritage sites, she said, can become powerful educational tools, offering young people a deeper appreciation of their identity while also attracting global visitors who gain a more accurate understanding of African culture.
Sustainable tourism, she added, thrives when the stories behind heritage sites are told compellingly and truthfully. This not only enhances visitor experience but also generates economic benefits for communities surrounding heritage locations. It creates jobs, supports artisans, and encourages responsible stewardship of cultural and natural sites.
Participants at the workshop included heritage professionals, tourism practitioners, cultural researchers, community representatives, and officials from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB). They engaged in discussions on best practices for interpreting African heritage sites in ways that reflect cultural authenticity and support community values.
The workshop also aimed at building the technical capacity of stakeholders to ensure that heritage sites across the continent meet global standards for documentation, preservation, and presentation.
Gomashie concluded with a renewed commitment to positioning African voices at the forefront of cultural storytelling. She called on all stakeholders to work together to protect, reinterpret, and elevate Africa’s heritage in ways that inspire pride, promote unity, and strengthen the continent’s place in global cultural conversations.
“As Africans, we must take responsibility for telling our own stories—stories that honour our past, empower our present, and guide our future,” she said.
