The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has called on COCOBOD and cocoa processing companies to establish an ultra-modern Cocoa Museum and Heritage Centre in the Western North Region.
The Western North Regional Director of the GTA, Michael Kpingbi, made the call at the 2026 Western North Regional Tourism Awards.
He said the proposed facility would preserve and showcase the history, heritage, technology and human stories associated with cocoa production and processing in the region.
According to Mr Kpingbi, the museum could become an important educational and tourism attraction, drawing students, researchers and visitors from across Ghana and beyond.
“Such a facility would preserve and showcase the history, heritage, technology and human interest stories associated with cocoa production and processing in the region,” he said.
Mr Kpingbi also drew attention to the region’s growing tourism potential, citing attractions including Bia National Park, the Big Tree at Enchi, Boinzan Waterfall, Adjoafua Pond and Ancestral Cave, as well as the traditional pottery industry at Sefwi Tanoso.
He called for greater investment in tourism infrastructure and services to make the attractions more accessible and appealing to visitors.
He also urged investors in the hospitality sector to look beyond accommodation and develop facilities capable of hosting conferences, corporate events, weddings and other major gatherings.
The Western North Regional Minister, Wilbert Petty Brentum, urged traditional leaders and communities to play a greater role in preserving the region’s cultural heritage.
He called for the history and traditions of communities to be properly documented and passed on to future generations.
The Minister also stressed the need to protect forests and water bodies, which form part of the region’s natural tourism assets.
He urged the Assemblies, traditional authorities, businesses and residents to take greater responsibility for keeping communities and tourist sites clean and attractive.
The Director for Product Development and Investment at the GTA, Alexander Kwame Nketsia, also urged the media to partner with the Authority to promote tourism attractions in Western North.
He encouraged media organisations to visit tourist sites, produce content about them and use their platforms to promote festivals, cultural activities and other tourism-related programmes.
TOURISM AWARD WINNERS
The 2026 Western North Regional Tourism Awards recognised businesses, individuals and institutions for their contribution to the sector.
Bia National Park won the Visitor Attraction award, while Francis Elluo, Principal Resource Guard at the park, was recognised as Site Guide.
Media General’s Mathew Ahiaveh received the Digital Tourism Icon award, while Uniik FM, Sefwi Wiawso, won the Tourism-Oriented Media award.
NIM Avenue Hotel received the Excellence in Promoting Local Cuisine award.
Other award winners included Aduaddae Hotel & Restaurant, Safari City Hotel, Jokran Hotel Ltd, Papa Yebre Hotel Annex, PM Hospitalities & Rentals, Emmanuel Acquah Hotel, My Food Chefelisha, S-K Superb Gardens, Mother’s Inn, Rockyeast Bar and Essence Lounge.
Under the honorary awards, Royalhome Comfort was named Most Compliant Tourism Enterprise of the Year, while Sikafoamatem Lodge received the Hotel Renewable Energy Investment of the Year award.
Hannah Asor Brenyah of Hasbren Lodge was recognised as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, while Elder Nana Ramus Kwofie, CEO of Queen Elizabeth Hotel, was honoured as Outstanding Tourism Personality of the Year.
Building a tourism destination
With its forests, waterfalls, heritage sites, cultural traditions and cocoa history, Western North has a range of tourism assets that could attract visitors beyond the region.
The call for a Cocoa Museum and Heritage Centre, coupled with calls for investment, improved maintenance and stronger promotion, adds to efforts to position Western North as a destination where nature, culture, history and cocoa heritage come together to create a distinctive tourism experience
