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Tourism Minister Visits Agya Koo Nimo, Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Aged Creatives
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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.
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
