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Parliamentary Committee engages Tourism Minister to bolster sector collaboration
In a move aimed at deepening institutional collaboration and strengthening oversight, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Tourism, Culture, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has paid a familiarisation visit to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
The visit, conducted as part of the Committee’s constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities, sought to foster stronger ties between the legislative and executive arms of government to enhance policy implementation and service delivery in the Cultural and Tourism sectors.
Welcoming the delegation, Dzifa Gomashie described the visit as both a “divine call and a national duty.” She emphasised the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with Parliament to leverage legislative support for the promotion of Ghana’s cultural identity and the growth of the tourism sector.
Highlighting recent milestones, the Minister celebrated Ghana’s successful inscription of the iconic Kete fabric on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She credited this achievement to the Ministry’s deliberate efforts to safeguard and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage globally.
The Minister also revealed ongoing initiatives to secure UNESCO recognition for Highlife music, which she described as “purely and authentically Ghanaian.” She noted that the Ministry has assembled a comprehensive archive, including audio recordings, interviews, and scholarly materials, to support its nomination efforts.
Underscoring the economic significance of the sector, the Minister disclosed that Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts currently stand as the third-largest contributors to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “With your support,” she said, “we believe it is possible to move from third position to the first.”
She further called on Parliament to support legislative reforms to modernize and streamline the operations of agencies under the Ministry. Many of these institutions, such as the National Commission on Culture and the Centres for National Culture, still operate under outdated legal frameworks, despite the Ministry’s restructuring under a 2013 Executive Instrument.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, Hon. Fred Kyei Asamoah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Offinso North, praised the Minister’s leadership and innovation. He explained that the visit formed part of a broader familiarization tour by the Committee, in line with Order 257(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“The Committee is mandated to examine the work of ministries, departments, and agencies within its purview. As part of this responsibility, we plan to undertake a further visit to assess the Ministry’s operations and service delivery firsthand,” Mr.Asamoah stated.
Ranking Member of the Committee and MP for Pusiga, Ayamba Ayii Laadi, emphasised the importance of promoting tourism in the Northern Region.
She highlighted the potential of the region’s unique attractions and local cuisine, humorously noting the health benefits of traditional Ghanaian dishes, which she credited for her youthful appearance.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration between the Ministry and the Committee. Both parties agreed that strengthening partnerships and aligning policy and legislative frameworks are essential to positioning Ghana as a leading cultural and tourism destination on the global stage.
The New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, on Wednesday held a staff get-together to commemorate the Ghana Month celebration.
The event was also to strengthen teamwork and bonding. It was attended by management members and staff from various departments.
The staff were engaged in activities such as apple eating, musical chairs competition, pick and act, and other interesting games.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chairperson of the Corporation’s Interim Management Committee (IMC), Dr (Mrs) Charity Binka, emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving organisational goals. She urged the staff to put aside their differences, work together, and also create a positive working environment.
In a welcome address, the Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaitoo, urged the staff to have fun as “we climax the Ghana Month celebration with this get-together.”
The Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times, Mr David Adadevoh, commended the staff for coming out in their numbers to join in the celebration and called for unity to transform the fortunes of the Corporation.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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A medical expert has cautioned that while misuse of herbal medicines can contribute to kidney damage, they are not the leading cause of kidney disease.
Dr Prince Mawutor, a researcher at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, told the Ghana News Agency that the leading causes of kidney disease remained high blood pressure, diabetes, exposure to toxic substances, arteriosclerosis and genetic factors.
He said both herbal and orthodox medicines could be beneficial when used appropriately but harmful when abused.
“Any medication can become toxic if taken in excess. Once it accumulates in the body beyond safe levels, it can damage vital organs, including the kidneys,” he stated.
Dr Mawutor cautioned that improper use of herbal medicines, particularly unregulated or unapproved ones, increased the risk of kidney damage.
He stressed the importance of purchasing only approved herbal products, noting that regulatory bodies ensured such medicines underwent safety and toxicity testing before reaching the market.
Dr Mawutor advised the public to check for proper labelling when buying herbal products, including product name, list of ingredients, usage instructions and traceable contact information.
Dr Mawutor urged individuals to consult qualified health professionals or certified medical herbalists before using any herbal medicine, especially when combining them with orthodox treatments.
He warned that self-medication and purchasing herbal products from roadside vendors posed serious health risks.
“If you are unwell, it is always best to visit a hospital and follow the proper medical process. A qualified medical herbalist can guide you on safe herbal options and how to integrate them with conventional treatment,” he said.
Dr Mawutor noted that the Food and Drugs Authority did not approve products sold in informal settings, such as from vehicles or on the streets, as they were unlikely to have undergone proper clinical trials.
He highlighted the role of regulatory institutions, including the Traditional Medicine Practice Council and the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists, in ensuring safe production and use of herbal medicines.
Dr Mawutor acknowledged that although some patients with kidney complications had reported improvements after using herbal remedies, not all herbal medicines could cure every disease. –GNA
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