Mahama announces major renovation projects for State Banquet Hall and cultural facilities

Speaking in Parliament during his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Mahama said the renovation project is intended to restore the State Banquet Hall—closed for several years due to structural and maintenance issues—to its status as a premier venue for high-profile national and international events.

“Ghana will also begin this year, the renovation of the State Banquet Hall which has been closed for a couple of years,” he stated.

The State Banquet Hall, situated within the State House complex in Accra, has historically hosted presidential dinners, diplomatic receptions, and official ceremonies. Its prolonged closure has limited the capacity to host events of significant national and diplomatic importance, a gap the government now seeks to fill.

In addition to the Banquet Hall, President Mahama outlined plans to refurbish the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to restore it to its former prominence as a leading venue for national and international conferences.

According to the President, structural assessments have already been carried out by the facility’s original contractors at the request of the Office of the Chief of Staff, providing recommendations for the renovation. “Commencement of work on the facility starts in the next few weeks,” he confirmed.

The President also emphasized the role of the private sector in the planned development of a new convention and creative event centre, aimed at positioning Ghana as West Africa’s leading hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and creative events. This initiative aligns with his administration’s focus on boosting tourism, culture, and the creative arts as drivers of economic growth and job creation.

As part of this effort, the 2026 budget allocates ₵20 million each to the National Film Authority and the Creative Arts Agency, signaling strong government support for the creative industries. Additionally, refurbishment works for the National Theatre of Ghana are expected to begin within the next few weeks, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to cultural infrastructure.

These projects come amid renewed interest in strengthening the capacity to host international gatherings, cultural festivals, and business events, with the President pledging to serve as an ambassador for tourism, culture, and the creative arts.

The renovations, once completed, are expected to restore the key cultural and diplomatic venues to their historic standards, while creating opportunities for content creation, tourism, and employment in the creative sector.