Team Lead for ImageBureau, George Quaye, has vouched for actress and politician Abla Dzifa Gomashie to be appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in President John Mahama’s new government. 

Speaking during a discussion on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, George intimated that judging from Dzifa’s experience and the fact that she has been a Deputy Minister at the same sector before, she is the best person to handle that position.

“For a government that doesn’t have time, this is not the time to tour. The sector has thirteen agencies. There are places that people can easily fit in and come together to make it work. So for me, it we were to choose a lead today, I will go for Abla Dzifa Gomashie,” he told host Kwame Dadzie.

George also noted that considering the broad nature of the sector, whoever take over as Minister must not be limited to only an aspect. He believes Dzifa has a wider knowledge of the sector than other people whose names have come up in conversations.

He said the new minister must have a firm grip of the tourism space to be able to continue the successes chalked by the former government in the area of tourism.

“You can fault the government of Nana Akufo-Addo for any and everything but definitely not tourism. That they did and did well. They got it right. They did great.

I would be a shame to see the ball drop. Somebody should pick that ball and take it to the next level,” he noted. 

While the industry is awaiting the appointment of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts by the President, stakeholders of the industry have suggested people like creative entrepreneur Baba Sadiq, musician Rex Omar, actress Abla Dzifa Gomashie, actor John Dumelo, actress Ebi Bright and former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly boss, Kojo Bonsu.

In the meantime, the President has announced the first batch of his ministers; Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson (Minister for Finance Designate), John Abdulai Jinapor (Minister for Energy Designate) and Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Designate)

About Dzifa Gomashie

Abla Dzifa Gomashie is a renowned actress, film producer, scriptwriter and a revered politician.

She served as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in the National Democratic Congress during their tenure between 2013 and 2017 when John Mahama first created the ministry. Currently, she is the Member of Parliament for the NDC in the Ketu South Constituency and a also a Queen Mother in the Aflao Traditional Area.

Dzifa Gomashie holds a Master of Philosophy (2005-2008) in African Studies from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2000-2003) with a First-Class Honors from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, and a Diploma in Theatre Arts (1994-1998) from the same University.

She has an unbridled passion for arts, culture and heritage and has dedicated herself to advancing various causes in that regard. While she was the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, she played a huge role in laying the foundation for the review and drafting of documents such as the Ghana Culture Policy, Creative Arts Industry Bill, among other initiatives that are gradually taking shape in the sector.

She brought her wealth of experience in the industry to the appointment both within Ghana and internationally. She serves on the committee in FEPACI, the Film Federation of the African Union. She is also a member and rapporteur of the ECOWAS committee for the Reparation of Stolen Artefacts of Africa.

She was also instrumental in the formation of the Creative Arts Council (now Creative Arts Agency), a body that is supposed to regulate and coordinate the activities of the culture and creatives industries made up of thirteen sub-fields.

Some creative arts practitioners have posited that her relevant previous knowledge in working at the Ministry, makes her a good candidate for the position as the substantive minister (and not a deputy minister this time around). They believe with this experience, she stands a better chance of coming back to the ministry.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has thirteen Agencies, namely; Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Tourism Development Company, National Film Authority, National Commission on Culture, National Theatre, National Folklore Board, Creative Arts Agency, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Dubois Centre, National Museum, Hotel, Catering & Tourism Training Institute and Bureau of Ghana Languages.