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Dzifa Abla Gomashie, first female MP for Ketu South Constituency

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• Hon Dzifa Abla Gomashie, first female Member of Parliament 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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!

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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

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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.’

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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

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Inside Nima: Faith, culture, life in Accra’s vibrant community

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Nima Market
Nima Market

Long before Accra fully wakes, Nima is already alive. From dawn, the call to prayer rises across the community as worshippers move quietly through narrow streets toward nearby mosques. Not far away, market women arrange tomatoes, onions, pepper, and smoked fish on wooden tables, while vendors prepare warm bowls of Hausa koko for workers starting their day early.

National mosque

This is Nima, one of Accra’s oldest, busiest, and most culturally vibrant communities.

For residents, Nima is more than a place. It is identity, family, struggle, faith, and survival woven tightly into everyday life. It is a community where life is shared and survival is collective.

Nima traces its roots to the colonial era, when migrants from northern Ghana and neighbouring West African countries settled in Accra in search of work and opportunity. Many arrived with little, but over time built a strong and closely knit community shaped by hard work, faith, and mutual support.

The origin of the name Nima is widely debated. Some link it to the Ga language, where “Nii” refers to a king and “mann” to a city, loosely interpreted as “city of the king.” Others trace it to the Arabic word “Ni’ma,” meaning “blessings,” reflecting the community’s strong Islamic influence.

Regardless of its origin, Nima remains one of Ghana’s largest and oldest Zongo communities, with roots stretching back to the 19th century.

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By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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DJ Rev: Spinning faith, energy, and purpose through the decks

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In a music landscape often defined by trends and tempo, George Nii Odai Oliver widely known as DJ Rev stands out as a man on a mission.

More than just a DJ, he is a minister, mentor, and youth advocate who has found a unique calling at the intersection of sound and spirituality.

Beyond the decks, DJ Rev is a devoted husband and a committed servant of God.

DJ Rev and his wife

His life is anchored in purpose, with a deep passion for youth development. As the Technical Director at Christ for Youth International (CYI), a global youth ministry, he plays a significant role in shaping young lives, not only through words but also through music.

His journey in ministry began early, including his role as a founding member of the Ambassadors Christian Rap Group, where he first explored the power of music as a tool for transformation.

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The name ‘DJ Rev’ derived from ‘Reverend,’ reflects both his spiritual identity and his mission to ignite atmospheres much like revving an engine with high-energy gospel music.

For him, every performance goes beyond entertainment; it becomes a moment of worship, revival, and connection with God.

His journey into DJing started from a fascination with music and technology during his younger years in Ghana.

Drawn to the ability of DJs to influence mood and unite people, he identified a gap in the Christian music space, which was someone who could seamlessly blend urban sounds with gospel messages. Starting from small church events and youth programmes, DJ Rev gradually honed his craft into what he now describes as a full-fledged calling.

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Like many success stories, his path was not without challenges; he had limited access to equipment, skepticism about gospel DJing, and the difficulty of balancing ministry with performance all tested his resolve.

Yet, through persistence, faith, and support from mentors and the Christian community, he rose above these obstacles. Borrowing equipment, learning on the job, and staying grounded in prayer became part of his journey.

A defining moment in his career came when he realised that DJing was more than a passion; it was ministry.

Witnessing lives being transformed during his sets, seeing people move from dancing into deep worship, and watching young talents he mentored flourish affirmed his purpose.

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DJ Rev’s style is best described as high-energy, spirit-led, and versatile. He effortlessly blends hip-hop, Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and urban gospel into seamless mixes that resonate with diverse audiences.

His signature approach is what he enthusiastically calls ‘Energyyyy! saying it is not just about hype, but about creating moments that touch both body and soul.

DJ Rev spinning the deck

What sets him apart in Ghana’s DJ industry is his unwavering commitment to ministry-first performances. While many DJs focus solely on entertainment, DJ Rev uses his platform to create spaces where faith and music coexist powerfully. His technical expertise, drawn from his role in ministry, combined with his passion for mentorship, gives him a distinctive edge.

Over the years, he has witnessed significant growth in Ghana’s DJ industry, with increased recognition, technological advancement, and global influences such as Amapiano shaping the soundscape.

Notably, he has contributed to pushing gospel music into mainstream spaces, particularly through his popular Amapiano Gospel mixes.

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Among his most memorable performances are events like Oasis Gathering, Sound Fest, and Saved to Serve platforms where music transcended performance into powerful spiritual encounters.

“These are moments that define success, lives touched, hearts uplifted, and faith renewed,” DJ Rev stated

Away from the spotlight, he embraces a quieter, more reflective life. He enjoys spending time with family, mentoring young people, engaging in ministry work, and pursuing simple hobbies like gardening and DIY projects.

For him, a perfect day off includes moments of prayer, meaningful conversations, and peaceful retreats, often in serene locations like Cape Coast or the Volta Region.

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Despite his achievements, DJ Rev remains grounded. He acknowledges the challenges he has faced, ranging from limited resources to balancing ministry and career, but credits his resilience to faith, community support, and a clear sense of purpose.

These experiences have taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance, humility, and authenticity.

Looking ahead, DJ Rev aims to expand his ministry through music both locally and internationally, release more projects, mentor emerging talents, and further establish gospel DJ culture in Ghana. His ultimate desire is to be remembered as a pioneer who brought revival through music, blending excellence with unashamed faith.

To young aspiring DJs, his message is clear: master your craft, stay consistent, build character, and never lose sight of your purpose.

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By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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