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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.
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
