Hon. Baba Jamal Advocates for Tourism Development and Promotes Nima's Kashi Kashinka Festival in Parliament

Parliament, Wednesday, 22nd July 2026 – The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Hon. Baba Jamal M.A., Esq., made his fourth contribution on the floor of Parliament during a statement on Tourism Development in Ghana delivered by the Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa North, Hon. Kodua Kwame Appiah. Contributing to the debate, Hon. Baba Jamal observed that although Ghana is endowed with enormous tourism potential, the country continues to depend largely on traditional sources of revenue such as cocoa, gold and other minerals, while many tourism opportunities remain underutilised. He emphasised the need to diversify the economy by giving greater attention to the tourism sector, which has the capacity to generate employment, stimulate local businesses and contribute significantly to national development. The Ayawaso East legislator further stressed the importance of promoting domestic tourism by encouraging Ghanaians to discover and appreciate the country's numerous tourist attractions rather than travelling abroad for holidays. According to him, increased domestic tourism would not only strengthen national pride but also provide a steady source of income for local communities and tourism-related businesses. Highlighting Ghana's rich cultural heritage, Hon. Baba Jamal noted that the country celebrates more than one hundred festivals every year, each presenting a unique opportunity to attract visitors and generate revenue if properly packaged, branded and promoted. He urged stakeholders within the tourism industry to leverage these cultural assets to position Ghana as a leading tourism destination in Africa. Drawing attention to his constituency, Hon. Baba Jamal proudly showcased Nima's renowned Kashi Kashinka (Shake and Dance) celebration, held during the Eid (Sala) festivities. He described the event as one of Ghana's most colourful cultural celebrations, explaining that chiefs from more than thirty ethnic groups mount beautifully decorated horses while members of their respective communities parade through the streets in vibrant traditional attire, creating a remarkable display of unity, heritage and cultural diversity. He called for greater national promotion of indigenous festivals such as Kashi Kashinka, noting that increased visibility would boost domestic tourism, attract international visitors, create employment opportunities and generate additional revenue for the country. Bringing his contribution to a close, Hon. Baba Jamal extended an open invitation to Members of Parliament and all Ghanaians to visit Nima during the next Eid celebrations to witness and experience the famous Kashi Kashinka (Shake and Dance) festival firsthand. Hon. Baba Jamal's contribution reflects his commitment to promoting Ghana's cultural heritage as a catalyst for economic growth while showcasing the unique identity of Ayawaso East. His advocacy reinforces the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous traditions as valuable national assets capable of driving tourism, creating jobs and contributing to Ghana's socio-economic development.