Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has empha­sised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.

She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposi­tion Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.

Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festi­val of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Mad­am Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.

She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal devel­opment but also as a way of preserv­ing traditional values.

These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.

“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as plat­forms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also pro­viding opportunities for community engagement.”

Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.

“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the develop­ment of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.

Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commend­ed the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.

Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Par­amount Chief of Great Ningo Tradi­tional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welen­tsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among digni­taries at the festival. -GNA

An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.

Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.

According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.

Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.

She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.

“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.

While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.

She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.

She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.

By: Jacob Aggrey