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Speaker inspects Parliament renovation ahead of House’s recall: All you need to know
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has inspected ongoing renovation work on the parliamentary chamber, with the House expected to reconvene in 11 days.
The decision to adjourn Parliament three weeks ago sparked fierce criticism from the Majority caucus.
However, the Speaker explained that the adjournment was necessary to allow for essential renovation work on the floor of the House.
During his visit, Alban Bagbin outlined some of the challenges facing the House, including issues with voting, quorum, and malfunctioning audiovisual systems.
He recalled that in 2014, Bosch DICENTIS Multimedia Company was commissioned by former Speaker Doe Adjaho to transform the House into an E-Parliament, a move aimed at reducing costs associated with bulk printing, paperwork, and other related expenses.
He revealed that the former Speaker, Prof Mike Ocquaye, later reviewed the initial contract and decided to install biometric gadgets in the Chamber.
This led to a competitive tendering process, with the contract awarded to Michel Africa Parliament Services.
Bagbin also clarified that the adjournment on July 30 was partly to allow attendance at an international parliamentary conference in the United States.
The renovation of the chamber, which is set to cost €2.26 million, is being funded by the government.
While the work tables are being produced locally by a company called Fernac, all other equipment will be imported.
The renovation is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
