Jamaican tourism entrepreneur and Chairman of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, Roy Page, has announced plans to attract tourists and investors from Jamaica and the wider African diaspora to Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District in the Upper East Region as part of an initiative to promote heritage tourism and create sustainable economic opportunities.
The initiative, introduced at a community engagement in Paga on October 20, 2026, seeks to transform the community’s cultural heritage, historical sites, natural resources and local businesses into tourism and investment opportunities that directly benefit residents.
Mr. Page said the initiative would begin with Paga as a pilot community, with plans to promote its attractions internationally and develop partnerships between residents and businesses from Jamaica.
“So I’m saying to all of you, I’m grateful that I’m here and I’m looking forward to coming back here on many occasions. But I want to come back with a group of people, with a group of Jamaicans, with a group of foreigners that will come and appreciate what I’ve seen. I love what I’ve seen, and a group of businessmen, because one of the trips that we’re looking at is to bring businessmen here. I’m planning a charter flight, and in that charter flight we’re taking businessmen from Jamaica who want to trade and who want to do business, and some have specifically looked to come to partner”, he stated.
Mr. Page added that plans were being considered to establish a physical and digital identity centre to document the history and culture of Paga, including information about traditional trees, medicinal plants and other natural assets.
Dr. Tengol K. Kplemani, Ambassador for Africa for the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, said Paga had been selected to pilot the Royal Community Tourism Development Programme, which aims to develop communities into tourism hubs and viable businesses.
He said the programme would work closely with traditional authorities and residents to develop community identity centres that could serve as cultural, educational and recreational facilities.
Dr. Kplemani said the initiative would require collective participation and local ownership to ensure that tourism development preserved Paga’s cultural identity rather than displacing its traditions.
In a speech read on his behalf by Fredrick Wuuga, Vice Chairman of the Paga Youth Movement, the movement’s Chairman, Wenawome Aborah Duriyem, welcomed the initiative and said it presented an opportunity to create jobs, empower young people and women, support local businesses and preserve the community’s heritage.
He called on traditional leaders, youth groups, businesses, government institutions and development partners to work together to ensure the project succeeds.
“Paga is open for business,” the statement said, inviting investors and development partners to explore opportunities in tourism, hospitality, agriculture, culture, creative arts and trade.
Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga welcomed the initiative, saying communities in the region possessed valuable natural and cultural resources that could support economic development if properly identified and developed.
He cited resources such as shea butter, baobab and other traditional plants, saying research, processing and value addition could help communities derive greater economic and medicinal benefits from them.
The Regional Minister also welcomed the focus on northern Ghana and called for continued attention to the region’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade.
Joseph Appiagyei, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said Paga’s hospitality, unity and tourism attractions made it a suitable location for the initiative.
He highlighted the Pikworo Slave Camp, the community’s sacred crocodiles and its strategic location near Burkina Faso as attractions that could draw visitors from Ghana and beyond.
Mr. Appiagyei said tourism development depended on peace and cooperation among residents, traditional authorities and other stakeholders. He also urged investors to consider accommodation facilities and value addition for local products to improve the visitor experience and expand economic opportunities.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz| Joshua Asaah | Paga
