UNESCO pledges collaboration in areas of culture, health, education, and tourism
Accra, Ghana – The Member of Parliament for Ahanta West, Hon. Mavis Kuukua Bissue, has held a high-level meeting with the UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Mr. Edmond Moukala, and the UNESCO Ghana Country Director, Mr. Carl Ampah, to explore collaborative efforts aimed at promoting the Ahanta Language Renaissance and advancing critical development sectors in the constituency.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, focused on forging partnerships in the areas of language preservation, cultural heritage, health, education, and tourism development. It was described as highly productive, with all parties affirming their commitment to work together to harness opportunities that will impact the lives of the people of Ahanta West.
Commitment to Language and Culture
Hon. Mavis Kuukua Bissue underscored the importance of preserving the Ahanta language as a vehicle for identity, unity, and sustainable development.
“The journey has begun for a better Ahanta West. I remain committed to working with government, ministries, agencies, NGOs, and development partners to bring every opportunity home for the advancement of our constituency. The revival of the Ahanta language is not just cultural—it is the foundation for building a stronger future for our people,” she noted.
UNESCO’s Role and Support
On their part, the UNESCO officials commended Hon. Bissue’s vision and emphasized UNESCO’s mandate to safeguard indigenous languages and support local development.
Mr. Edmond Moukala reaffirmed UNESCO’s readiness to provide technical guidance and collaboration:
“Language is at the heart of identity and education. Preserving the Ahanta language and culture is in line with UNESCO’s mission, and we are delighted to explore avenues to support this important initiative.”
Mr. Carl Ampah, UNESCO Ghana Country Director, added that tourism and education are natural allies of culture and that UNESCO’s involvement will strengthen opportunities for job creation and skills development in Ahanta West.
Focus Areas of Partnership
The discussions highlighted several key areas of focus:
- Language Renaissance – Documentation, teaching, and promotion of the Ahanta language.
- Culture and Tourism – Leveraging cultural heritage festivals like Kundum to boost tourism and create economic opportunities.
- Education – Improving access to quality education while integrating local identity and history into curricula.
- Health – Exploring partnerships to strengthen healthcare systems and community health awareness.
A Path Towards Transformation
The meeting marks the beginning of a renewed relationship between Ahanta West and UNESCO, positioning the constituency as a potential hub for cultural tourism and inclusive development. Hon. Bissue stressed that the initiative will not only celebrate the past but also build opportunities for the future.
“Our people deserve the best. By working with UNESCO and other stakeholders, we can ensure that Ahanta West becomes a model for development where tradition, innovation, and opportunity go hand in hand,” she concluded.
The MP’s office has indicated that further engagements will take place in the coming weeks to design a roadmap for implementation.
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