SONA 2026: “AICC is not enough for a country seeking to develop its creative sector” — Prez. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has declared that the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) alone cannot support Ghana’s ambition to become West Africa’s leading hub for creative arts, entertainment, and international conferences.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Parliament on Friday, President Mahama said while the AICC has served the country with distinction over the years, it is no longer sufficient for a nation seeking to significantly expand its creative economy and attract large-scale global events.

“AICC is not enough for a country seeking to develop its creative sector and become West Africa’s destination for meetings, conferences, musical concerts and entertainment,” the President told lawmakers.

President Mahama announced that renovation and refurbishment works on the AICC will commence in the coming weeks.

He disclosed that a structural integrity assessment was conducted at the request of the Office of the Chief of Staff by the original contractors of the facility in collaboration with a Ghanaian firm.

The assessment, he said, made detailed recommendations for restoring the Centre to its iconic status as Ghana’s premier national and international conference venue.

The planned works are expected to address structural upgrades, modernization of conference technology, refurbishment of auditoriums and meeting spaces, enhancement of safety and accessibility standards and improved hospitality and auxiliary facilities

The President emphasized that restoring the AICC is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen Ghana’s meetings and events infrastructure.

Beyond the AICC rehabilitation, President Mahama revealed that government will, in partnership with the private sector, commence work this year on a new state-of-the-art convention and creative events centre.

The proposed facility is intended to: Position Ghana as West Africa’s leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) destination

Host large-scale musical concerts and entertainment productions

Attract international conventions and trade expos

Support film, theatre, fashion and digital creative industries

Generate employment and foreign exchange

According to the President, the expansion of events infrastructure is central to unlocking the economic potential of Ghana’s creative arts sector, which continues to gain international recognition.

In addition, President Mahama announced that renovation of the State Banquet Hall — which has been closed for several years — will begin in 2026.

The move is aimed at restoring its capacity to host high-profile state functions and international gatherings.

He noted that upgrading national event facilities would enhance Ghana’s global image and strengthen its ability to compete for major continental and global events.

President Mahama framed the infrastructure drive within a broader tourism and national branding agenda.

He stressed that major international events — including global sporting tournaments and high-level conferences — present opportunities to promote Ghana’s image, culture, and investment potential.

He underscored that a thriving creative sector can boost GDP growth, expand job opportunities for youth, increase tourism receipts, strengthen Ghana’s cultural diplomacy and enhance national brand equity.

The President said Ghana must deliberately invest in infrastructure that matches its ambitions.

“We must build the facilities that reflect our aspirations,” he stated, adding that creative industries are no longer peripheral but central to economic transformation.

In concluding this segment of his address, President Mahama called for unity of purpose in advancing Ghana’s development agenda.

He urged citizens to channel the same collective resolve often demonstrated during moments of national pride toward sustained economic and institutional progress.

He reaffirmed his personal commitment to accountability, stating:

“The buck stops with the President. I live by that statement every day.”

However, he emphasized that nation-building requires the collective effort of all Ghanaians — from policymakers to entrepreneurs, workers, creatives and civil servants.

The President concluded on an optimistic note, invoking an African proverb: 'However long the night is, the dawn will break'.

He said the 'dawn is breaking for Ghana' but stressed that renewal must be built deliberately through institutional reform, economic discipline, and national cohesion.

The Accra International Conference Centre, commissioned in 1991, has historically hosted major national and international events.

However, increasing demand for larger and more technologically advanced venues has intensified calls for modernization and expansion of Ghana’s conference infrastructure.

President Mahama’s 2026 SONA signals a renewed push to leverage the creative economy and events tourism as key pillars of Ghana’s development strategy.

Story by: Hawa Abubakar