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Dzifa Abla Gomashie, first female MP for Ketu South Constituency
Hon Dzifa Abla Gomashie, firstfemale Member of Parliament
for Ketu South Constituency
Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie is the Member of Parliament for the Ketu South constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress. She is also a queen mother in the Aflao traditional area in the Volta Region with the name ‘Mama Dramado’ meaning, “Take care of me, Mama.”
She appears to be living up to the title of her royal name with success. She was the deputy minister of tourism in the era of the NDC from 2013 to 2017.
Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie, who ran and won on the NDC ticket to represent the Ketu South seat in the 2020 elections, is the first female Member of Parliament for Ketu South.
After winning the NDC parliamentary primaries last year, she is currently running for parliament for the same seat. Her victory margin was substantial, with 1,545 votes, compared to the 913 and 26 votes received by the other candidates, Fogah Nukunu and Jimm Morti, respectively.
Through her non-governmental organisation, Values for Life, she has been serving her people for years, helping women, children, and the youth in a variety of ways and teaching them social and entrepreneurial skills that they would not have learned in a traditional classroom.
She proclaimed openly, “I’ve been blessed with the love, respect and support I have from my constituents,” in an interview with The Spectator.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Speaking about her work as the MP for Ketu South, she mentioned that in the area of health, in 2020, 2021, and 2022, she sponsored free eye testing and screenings, performed free surgeries, and gave medication and prescription glasses to Aflao, Adina, Wudoaba, and Ativuta.
“I also constructed a clinic with a maternity ward at Anoenu in Aflao and helped the Ketu South Municipal Hospital expand its paediatric emergency unit,” she added.
Once more, she provided 46 students with GH¢1,000 each to help with their tuition fees throughout the 2020–2021 academic year.
In addition, she refurbished the Ansahrul Islamic Basic School, built and equipped an I.C.T. lab for the Skills Development Project, and provided 99 students with GH¢500 each in order to help with their school costs for the 2022–2023 academic year.
She did not only provide GH¢3,000 to assist the construction of a mechanised borehole for some Senior High Schools, but she also extended pipe-borne water from the Ketu South Municipal Assembly to the Ketu South Education Directorate.
Regarding youth and sports, she gave GH¢1,500 to the Regional Football Association to help with the purchase of trophies.
Moreover, she first gave GH¢2,000 to the Municipality’s 37th National Farmers Day celebration at Lotakor. She then provided laterite and 20 loads of sand to support the GH¢13,000 rehabilitation of Awakorme Road.
The Ketu South MP has also made a significant appearance in the area of supporting people with disabilities. She gave GH¢3,000 to help fund the visually impaired children’s transition from Chicago-Denu’s Special School for the Blind to Mafi-Adidome’s Avekpedome Unit School for the Blind.
Additionally, she donated GH¢2,000 to purchase detergent and other educational items to aid in the Special Children unit of the Municipal Education Directorate’s teaching and learning initiatives.
Furthermore, she gave 10 sets of jerseys to the teams competing in the Sepenukorpe beach football tournament (Awakorme FC, Viepe FC, Abeliakorpe FC, Atorkukorpe FC, and Sepenukorpe FC). In matters of faith and customs, Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie backed churches, other places of worship, and customary lands within the constituency.
for Ketu South Constituency
Her commitment for helping the underprivileged led her to institute skills development and business programmes that give instruction in 10 different modules, including sewing, hairdressing, ICT, shoemaking, plumbing, and soapmaking.
For social intervention, the MP of Ketu Spouth gave 200 pieces of street lights to the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, organised Christmas and New Year parties for children from tidal wave communities like Adina, Salakope, Agavedzi, and Blekusu, and donated relief items to victims of tidal waves in Amutinu, Salakope and Adina, with bags, food items, and bags of cement, among other things.
She also donated a variety of goods to the Providence Orphanage Home in Aflao-Semanukorpe among others!
Despite her experience as an actor, producer, and screenwriter, she shared a few reasons for choosing to run for MP, saying, “I think I have full endorsement from my delegates and people so I can run an election.”
In order to realise her goal of raising her constituents’ level of life, she asks her supporters to assist her in electing the NDC to power.
She expressed the hope that the legally mandated institutions will meet the standards necessary for free, fair, and transparent elections. When asked what she would think if her wishes were not fulfilled, she answered right away, “We will win convincingly through fair means.”
EDUCATION
Hon. Dzifa Gomashie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts in 2003, and she went on to get a Master of Philosophy from the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, from 2005 to 2008. She had previously studied Theatre Arts from 1994 to 1998 at the same university’s School of Performing Arts, where she received a Diploma in the field.
After completing her Ordinary Level in General Arts at St. Louis Secondary School in Kumasi in 1985, she went to Snapps College Ghana from 1992 to 1994. She obtained a Certificate of Education in General Arts at the Advanced Level there.
Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie is a widow with children. She feels that in order to sustain herself, her family, and others, she must work hard and do quality work since hard effort pays off.
Apart from her rigorous work schedule, she has always had a passion for dance since she ‘popped out of her mother’s womb.’
Although she claims that her electorate is quite large, she received 84,000 votes from voters when she ran for office the first time.
Regarding the question of whether the Affirmative Action Bill’s passage into law will give women hope, she responded that it is not a solution to every issue that affects women.
“We need to step up advocacy because it’s a never-ending cycle,” she continued.
By Georgina Quaittoo
When the world’s eyes turn to the King’s Baton on its global journey, one of Ghana’s most profound artistic stories travels with it. It will be a story of creativity, culture, and national pride crafted by Albert Litela Obidiaba.
From the quiet town of Old Baika in the Oti Region, Albert’s journey as an artist has always been about telling stories. It is not just through words, but through symbols, textures, and meaning.
“From a young age, I was drawn to the power of art, knowing how colours and textures can capture not just emotion but culture and identity,” he recalls.
Today, his name has become synonymous with innovation rooted in traditional bridge between Ghana’s past and its global creative future.
Albert’s love for art was born from curiosity. Surrounded by the vibrancy of Ghanaian culture; the patterns of kente, the stories behind Adinkra symbols, and the textures of daily life, he began sketching and crafting early on.
“Simple things told deep stories,” he says. “That fascinated me.”
As he matured, his art evolved into a personal mission to preserve and reinterpret Ghana’s heritage for a modern audience. His style reflects a seamless blend of culture and contemporary design, each piece a narrative of unity, history, and pride.
“I see art as storytelling through form and symbolism, it should feel rooted in purpose yet speak to today’s world,” he explains.
When the call came to design Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, Albert saw it as both a national duty and a creative calling.
Recommended by mentors like Mr Charles Osei Asibey, who trusted his talent and understanding of Ghanaian symbolism, he embraced the project wholeheartedly.
His vision was clear; to create a piece that would embody unity, pride, and the enduring spirit of Ghana.
Drawing from traditional motifs, he integrated textures inspired by kente weaving, representing hard work, continuity, and creativity. The golden tones symbolise strength and dignity, while the contours and natural motifs mirror Ghana’s landscapes and people.
“The King’s Baton had to tell our story of who we are, what we value, and how we see the world, it is more than art, it is identity in motion,” he said.
Every etch, every pattern carries meaning. From concept to completion, the entire process took three intense weeks which were filled with research, design sketches, consultation, and collaboration with skilled artisans.
“It was days and nights of work, but a lifetime of meaning,” he says with quiet pride.
Creating a design that represents all of Ghana’s diverse cultures was no small feat. Albert had to balance aesthetics, authenticity, and technology thereby using sustainable wood, carefully treated and certified, to reflect the nation’s commitment to nature and preservation.
“It wasn’t easy finding the right mix,” he admits. “But those challenges pushed me to think deeper. They made the final piece stronger — both artistically and symbolically.”
For Albert, Ghanaian culture is both muse and message. His works echo the values of unity, strength, persistence, and wisdom, drawn from Ghana’s traditions.
“Art preserves who we are and every line and symbol tells a story of belonging,” he said, and believes art is one of the most powerful tools for building national pride.
Designing the King’s Baton has been a defining moment in his creative journey and that it deepened his appreciation for cultural storytelling. “It taught me that creativity is also a form of service,” he said.
The experience has opened new professional doors, but more importantly, it gave him a renewed sense of purpose making him embrace a call to national duty.
“My soul will be glad even after my days on earth are over,” he said beaming with smiles.
Beyond the King’s Baton, Albert has worked on numerous projects celebrating Ghanaian identity through contemporary art and design. His ongoing works explore symbolism and heritage in new forms which includes blending materials, stories, and styles from across Ghana’s regions.
He is currently preparing projects that continue the conversation the baton began. They are about unity, creativity, and Africa’s evolving artistic voice.
To young artists aspiring to make their mark, Albert’s advice is for them to believe deeply in their craft and that the world is always looking for authenticity “which comes from knowing who you are and where you come from.”
On how he wants to be remembered, he said, “I want to be remembered as an artist who used creativity to celebrate culture and connect people. If my name is remembered as the one who designed Ghana’s version of the King’s Baton, that will be enough, because it means I carried Ghana in my hands, and shared her with the world.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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A ‘trotro’ bus heading to Nsawam was filled with the usual sounds from conversations, music, and sometimes a preacher delivering a message.
But when Margaret Odame Donkor rises to speak, she does not preach salvation or sell herbal remedies. Instead, she shares her journey as a breast cancer survivor, urging passengers to examine their breasts regularly, seek medical help early, and never lose hope.
Her pulpit is not a church, but the crowded minibuses of Ghana’s public transport system. Her message is not about repentance, but about survival.
She urges women to check their breasts regularly, encourages men to support their wives during health challenges, and reassures everyone listening that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
For Margaret, creating awareness is more than a duty-it is a calling born out of personal pain, fear, and triumph.
Her words carried weight because they come from lived experience.
At age 48, Margaret has walked through the valley of fear and pain, battled stage three invasive carcinoma, and emerged not just a survivor but an advocate determined to educate others.
Cancer journey
Margaret’s encounter with breast cancer stretches back decades. At 22, she discovered a lump in her left breast. It was removed and declared benign. Relieved, she skipped regular checks and moved on. Then in 2021, the lump reappeared—this time spreading toward her armpit.
At a church screening in October 2022, doctors detected suspicious lymph nodes. Further tests confirmed her worst fear: stage three invasive carcinoma.
“It wasn’t easy,” she recalls softly. “But my faith in God kept me strong. My husband, children, family, friends, and colleagues formed an army behind me. Their prayers, visits, and encouragement gave me the courage to fight.”
“Be grateful every day because you never know what tomorrow may bring. No one has it all, but with love and support, you can endure,” she stated.
Her greatest fear remains recurrence and not living long enough to see her children graduate and become the people she dreams for them to be.
Before cancer disrupted her life, Margaret had found purpose in interpretation. In 2020, a friend spotted a Judicial Service vacancy and encouraged her to apply. After years of unsuccessful attempts at government jobs, she was reluctant, but she tried once more. This time, she succeeded and was posted to the Eastern Region, her home.
Today, she works at the Nsawam District Court, one of the busiest in the area. On a typical day, she arrives at 7:30am, prepares dockets, and confers with magistrates. She interprets proceedings in Twi, Ga, Hausa, and occasionally Ewe, ensuring that justice was accessible to all.
Her role is demanding. Cross-examinations require her to switch quickly between English and local dialects, while marriages often call for interpreting vows in couples’ preferred languages. Still, she thrives. “The registrars and magistrates I’ve worked with have been amazing. They make the environment very comfortable,” she stated.
Beyond the courtroom, Margaret is also an entrepreneur. In 2017, she founded Nubreed Décor, an events decoration business born from her childhood love for beautifying spaces. She recalls cutting paper decorations as a child and helping her cousin rent out chairs and decorate venues.
Balancing décor with court work was tough, and her health struggles after surgery made it even harder. Radiation left her with persistent rib pain, forcing her to slow down. “Now I hire more hands, which makes business expensive, but it helps me achieve my goals,” she explained.
Her biggest challenge as an entrepreneur remains finance. “The event industry is huge, but I have to work at my own pace and focus on my niche,” she admited.
Cancer changed how Margaret values people and relationships. She learned that those you least expect often become your strongest supporters. She urges families to stand by patients with prayers, encouragement, and financial support, reminding society that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life.
Her advocacy extends beyond awareness talks. She dreams of establishing a counselling centre for young people and hopes Ghana will expand access to mammograms and radiotherapy centres. “Every patient deserves a chance at survival,” she said firmly.
She urged the youth to live peacefully and be their brother’s keeper, learn to be content and rely on God.
To women, she asserted that, “love yourselves and make breast checks routine while calling on Ghanaians to be open-minded, avoid being judgmental, and show love.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
