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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institutions, such as the National Commission on Culture and the Centres for National Culture, still operate under outdated legal frameworks, despite the Ministry’s restructuring under a 2013 Executive Instrument.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 Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
