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Tourism Minister Visits Agya Koo Nimo, Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Aged Creatives
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has paid a courtesy visit to celebrated Ghanaian highlife musician, Agya Koo Nimo, at his residence in Kumasi.
The visit forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader commitment to ensure the welfare and dignity of elderly citizens, particularly those who have made significant contributions to Ghana’s cultural and creative heritage.
Speaking during the visit, Madam Gomashie acknowledged Agya Koo Nimo’s invaluable role in shaping Ghana’s musical identity and reaffirmed the government’s pledge to support ageing creatives.
“This is not just a symbolic visit—it is a statement of care, recognition, and responsibility,” she said.
In a heartfelt address during the visit, the Minister recalled President Mahama’s call to action at the launch of the Black Star Experience, where he asked: “Why wait until our legends are gone before we celebrate them?” She emphasized that those words have since guided her and her team, compelling them to act swiftly to honour living legends.
“We do not know the hour of our birth, nor the moment we depart this life,” the Minister said.
She said, “Therefore, while we are still planning a formal celebration to honour the trailblazers and elders in the sector, those on whose shoulders we stand, it felt only proper that we come here today.”
She described Agya Koo Nimo as a revered “chief in the realm of Ghanaian culture” and presented him with a hamper, a modest token of appreciation, and an additional envelope to support the musicians who performed in his honour.
In response, Agya Koo Nimo expressed deep gratitude to President Mahama and the Ministry for the recognition.
“This is not just for me, it is for all musicians,” he remarked, calling on the government to establish a national museum dedicated to the creative arts, where the works of musicians and other creatives could be preserved for posterity and serve as a learning resource for future generations.
He further proposed that Ghanaian music be played and showcased at tourist sites across the country to enrich the visitor experience and promote local artistry.
She acknowledged the underappreciation creatives often face, noting: “When a footballer scores, headlines follow. But creatives often give so much with little recognition. That must change, and it starts now.” She added.
According to Hon. Gomashie, this visit is only the beginning of a broader effort to elevate the voices and contributions of Ghanaian legends.
The Minister was accompanied by her Deputy, Yussif Issaka Jajah; Divine Kwame Owusu Ansah, Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry; and other key members of her team.
They were warmly received by the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and other support staff.
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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