Ghana’s long-awaited cultural policy is expected to be finalised and rolled out by the close of 2026, Director of the National Commission on Culture, Wakefield Ackuaku, has announced.

He made the disclosure in an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A–Z on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

According to Mr Ackuaku, extensive work has already gone into the policy, including technical support from UNESCO, with the final stages now in view.

“We are very certain that this year the Cultural Policy will see the light of day. A lot of work has been done before I took office, UNESCO has helped.

The National Commission on Culture has a governing board. The Board is going to have a final look at it together with the Attorney General’s Department. And we are very certain before the end of the year we roll it out,” Wakefield said.

Ghana’s cultural policy is intended to provide a clear national framework for the protection, promotion and development of the country’s cultural heritage and creative industries. It is expected to guide government action on arts, culture, heritage preservation, creative economy development and cultural education, while aligning Ghana’s cultural agenda with international standards and conventions.

The new policy will replace the existing cultural policy published in 2004, which many stakeholders say has become outdated in the face of technological change, globalisation and the rapid expansion of Ghana’s creative economy. Since its publication, the cultural landscape has evolved significantly, with the rise of digital media, creative entrepreneurship and increased global interest in Ghanaian culture.

Officials say the updated policy will address these gaps by recognising culture as a key driver of national development, job creation and social cohesion. It is also expected to strengthen institutional coordination, improve funding frameworks for the arts and provide clearer protections for cultural practitioners.

The National Commission on Culture, working with sector agencies and international partners, has over the years engaged in consultations, policy reviews and stakeholder input to ensure the new document reflects current realities and future aspirations.

Once completed, the cultural policy is expected to serve as a foundational document for the creative sector, shaping legislation, investment and long-term planning across Ghana’s cultural and creative industries.